asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will have a survey carried out of the coal outcrop in the river bed at Putlthy in the townland of Muff, parish of Kill Upper, County Cavan, with a view to having it developed.

I am satisfied from the information at my disposal that the outcrop referred to consists of silurian shale which contains only small quantities of anthracite which are apparently of no economic value. I do not consider, therefore, that a further survey of this outcrop would be warranted.