asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take early action towards the reopening and development of the barytes deposits at Ballydehob and Clonakilty, County Cork.

The barytes deposits at Ballydehob and Clonakilty, County Cork, were examined and mapped by the Geological Survey in 1919, and a further examination is not likely to add materially to the information already available. The development of the deposits is primarily a matter for private enterprise, and any interested party desiring to reopen the deposits will receive every possible assistance.

Was not this country in a state of war in 1919? In such a condition a proper survey of the barytes deposits could not be made.

I do not think there has been any change in the geological formation of the area since 1919.

In the condition of the country at that time, there could not be a proper survey.

A survey has been made and all the relevant information is available to interested parties.