asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his Department have any plans under consideration for the development of the phosphate deposits in North Clare, or whether he has brought to the notice of the mining interests at present visiting the country the mineral potentialities of the area.

There are no proposals for the development of these phosphate deposits before my Department at present. The Deputy will appreciate that such development is a matter for private enterprise and he may take it that the mining interests to which he has referred are aware of the mineral potentialities of the North Clare area.