asked the Minister for Energy the latest information available to him on reports of a major lead and zinc discovery at Galmoy and the Kilkenny-Laois border; and the measures the Government intend to take to ensure that if deposits are developed adequate royalty payments will be made to the State.

Exploration continues to take place at Galmoy under a prospecting licence granted by my Department. While results continue to be encouraging I am unable to comment in detail on the matter because information supplied by prospecting companies during the currency of licences is treated as confidential.

A State mining facility will be required from me if minerals in this area are to be developed. I can assure the Deputy that in such event the question of return to the State in royalty and otherwise will be fully and carefully addressed.

Our purpose in putting down this question was to ask the Minister to ensure that the débacle which occurred in the Tara Mines will not recur in any future development, in particular in this area, in other words, that after years of working the mine no royalties have yet been paid to the State? Can the Minister give the House an assurance that any future terms will ensure that royalties will be paid, possibly on a tonnage basis?

I am not prepared to go into the formula that will be used. But I can assure the Deputy that I will ensure that the Irish taxpayer and State receive their full and proper share of whatever mining takes place at this or any other site.

A final question, Deputy.

In view of the fact that a Finnish State company was taking a quarter shareholding in this new venture for its own smelting processing in Finland, and the Minister may be aware that Rio Tinto Zinc are also interested, can the Minister say if he will endeavour to ensure that one or other of those companies alone or in a joint venture with the State would establish a smelter here?

The question of a smelter is a separate question.