§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any investigations as to the mineral resources of county Cavan have been carried out; and, if so, do the reports show that either coal or any other mineral could be profitably worked?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Geological Survey of Ireland have surveyed the county Cavan, and the maps and memoirs compiled by this Survey contain information regarding the occurrence of minerals in the county. Some time ago the Department's Economic Geologist made an inspection of a supposed find of anthracite coal at Ballyjamesduff. He found that the material in question was a graphitic shale and of no commercial value as a fuel. He also made an inspection at Kilnaleck, where a mine was at one time worked for anthracite coal. He reported that, in his opinion, this deposit could not be successfully worked. Several samples of minerals have been recently submitted by persons in the county of Cavan for purposes of examination, and the Department's expert, when his other engagements permit, will visit the districts where these samples have been found.