asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position regarding the development of the phosphate mines in North Clare.

: A report on the contract drilling and other ancillary work carried out under the supervision of the Director of the Geological Survey Office of my Department, on the North Clare phosphate deposits, is being considered by a working group comprising representatives of the Geological Survey Office, Nitrigin Eireann Teoranta, An Foras Taluntais and the Institute of Industrial Research and Standards. Detailed laboratory tests to ascertain the nature and quality of sample material yielded by the field work is under way and when these are completed the working group will make their recommendations to me in the matter.