asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position with regard to possible prospecting for uranium in this country; whether any licences have been issued for uranium prospecting or mining, or any requests received for such licences; and if he will make a statement on the possible uses, at home and abroad, of any uranium which might be discovered.

Some 700 general prospecting licences, which entitle the holders to explore for all minerals, including uranium, have been issued to a total of 52 prospecting companies. In addition 27 prospecting licences have been issued to one company, authorising them to explore for uranium only. Further applications for uranium prospecting licences are under consideration.

So far there has been no confirmation that there are uranium deposits worthy of commercial production in Ireland and any decision, at this stage, on the possible uses of any uranium deposit discovered would be premature. I can say, however, that principal considerations in the development of a uranium utilisation policy would be the satisfaction of our own energy requirements, in the first instance, and that any surplus available for export would be used for peaceful purposes.

Is it a fact that under EEC agreements we need not have control of what happens to any uranium found? Is it not a fact that the EEC can decide to take over the uranium and use it for their own purposes if they wish? They can intervene and take it from us.

I do not believe that to be the position. In the last resort, control of uranium would be exercised by the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy through the Nuclear Energy Board here.