Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1936 > Select Committee on Mining Rights > Interim and Final Report - Demise of Certain Mining Rights

INDEX OF EVIDENCE

(References are to Questions in the Minutes of Evidence.)

B.

Breen, Deputy D., 5092-6.

Mr. Summerfield did not object to signing of Agreement by Mr. Heiser, 5093.

Mr. Summerfield pressed Mr. Briscoe to accept Heiser-Harrison arrangement, 5093, 5095-6.

Heard Mr. Summerfield say “You’ll hear more about this,” 5093-4.

Briscoe, Deputy robert, 3688-4541, 4983-5000.

Agreement with Mr. Heiser re employment of men, 3727-41;

bond, difficulties re the, 4052-76, 4209;

capital being brought in, views about foreign, 4373-428, 4478, 4480.

company, application of certain parties for license to form a, 4275-303.

complaints as to getting licenses, views on, 4253-63, 4359-87, 4457-76.

concession, allegation as to value of, 3915-33, 3945-53, 4236, 4379-82, 4397-9, 4435-8, 4477-8.

covenant in lease re employment, 3713-44.

Crusade Prospectors, Ltd., suggested alteration of name in Agreement to, 4107.

Deputy Breen, share parted with to, 4021-43.

evidence, putting documents in, 4338-59.

expenditure in connection with mine, 3698-707, 3745-74, 4494-8.

Irish Boring Co., relations with, 4045-6.

lease, reluctance to sign, 3779-809, 3844-5.

letter of 25th April, 1935, 4107, 4263-73, 4378, 4394-418, 4426-7, 4461, 4469-72, 4532.

Mr. Dunn’s report, 4104-6, 4237-52, 4360-87, 4437.

Mr. Harrison, views about, 3851, 4232;

Mr. Harrison, relations with, 4051, 4100-1, 4110-250, 4283, 4419, 4429-38, 4983-5000, 5091.

Mr. Harrison, Senator Comyn’s repudiations of proposals of, 4124-34, 4148, 4211-4.

Mr. Heiser, first knowledge of, 3800-6, 3873-7, 3982-8, 3994-4004, 4285.

Mr. Heiser’s proposals, 3807-63, 4007-18, 4052-4118, 4196-208, 4214-9, 4275-303, 4429-32, 4438.

Mr. Norman, junr., relations with, 3752-6, 3869-71, 3881, 3896-903, 4044, 4304-37, 4439-50, 4485-90.

partnership, explains nature of £750; 4451.

prospecting before lease granted, 3701-4, 3769-75, 3902-14, 3960-5, 4493.

prospecting, value of work done by way of, 3715-30, 3846-63, 3954, 4504-23.

prospecting for patriotic reasons, 3864-8, 3878-9.

prospecting, beginnings of, 3878-95.

Prospectus of £250,000 company, 4149, 4188-9, 4220-34, 4359-72, 4419, 4993-5000, 5091.

public or private company for developing gold field, views on, 3935-7, 4130 4148, 4209, 4272-5, 4419-28, 4525-6, 4530-3.

sale of his rights, would not discuss question of, 3821-35.

State exploitation of gold deposits, views on, 4412-6.

C.

Clarke, Mr. J. M., 926-44.

complaints as to getting of leases, heard, 926-44.

Comyn, Senator michael, K.C., 2590-3624.

Agreement with Mr. Heiser, views as to fairness of, 2671-6, 3159-60.

complaints as to getting leases, question of, 3105, 3257-79, 3416-9, 3479.

concessions in the neighbourhood, attitude to, 3574-5, 3589-96.

concession, value of the, 3136-56.

covenants in the lease, 2595, 2820-67, 3226-45, 3289-313, 3526-38, 3576.

Crusade Prospectors, Ltd., 2602, 3071-86, 3106-10.

Deputies, shares to certain, 2598, 3353-63.

Deputy Briscoe’s reluctance to sign lease, 2594, 2811-9.

Irish Boring Co., contract with, 2594, 2789-92, 3246-56, 3482-7.

Irish capital, question of, 2650-7.

lease, nature of, 3511-4, 3552-4, 3562-3.

lease, qualifications for grant of, 2595-7, 3299-301, 3516-25, 3577.

leases, publication of, 3580-2.

letter of 25th April, 1935, interpretation of, 2598-602, 2998-3009, 3274-7, 3458-9.

licence to Mr. Heiser, 2638-9.

Mr. Dunn’s report, 2605, 2646-58, 2671-2, 3129-37, 3379-88, 3431-5.

Mr. Harrison’s proposals, 2601-30, 2673, 2975-7, 2986-9, 3010-59, 3087-9, 3105, 3111-40, 3410-5, 3420-59, 3470-4.

Mr. Heiser, first meeting with, 2864-924, 3350-409, 3617-24.

Mr. Heiser, relations with, 2598-601, 2631-44, 2834-6, 2863-6, 2929-86, 2990-3006, 3071-86, 3094-3104, 3441-54, 3460-9, 3540-50, 3610-4.

Mr. Norman, working arrangements with, 2594, 2751-83, 2799-826, 3162-224, 3321-47, 3475-8, 3480.

Mr. Summerfield, relations with, 2621, 2630, 3066-77.

Oireachtas, members of, concessions to, 3575-80.

prospecting, finance of, 2594, 2597, 2659-70, 2788, 3289-93.

prospecting before lease granted, 3326-47.

prospecting experience, 2590, 2717-50, 3509-10.

Prospectus of £250,000 company, 2602-4, 3111-63, 3410-5, 3428-30.

public company banned, 2601-3, 2611-4, 2627, 2648-58, 2925-56, 3087-93, 3415, 3439-58, 3488-508, 3548-50, 3556-9, 3564-70, 3605-14.

royalty to State, 2594-5, 2676-716.

“Sharks,” references to, 2601, 2618, 3029-86.

D.

D’Arcy, Mr. James F., 3625-87.

lease, his position in regard to financing, 3627, 3636-45.

Mr. Harrison, received prospectus from, 3632.

Mr. Heiser, was not instrumental in bringing over, 3628.

Mr. Heiser, believed money was to be found by, 3654-5.

visit to London, purpose of his, 3658-87.

F.

Ferguson, Mr. R. C., 26-557.

applicants, reference to statements as to financial circumstances of previous, 139-40, 209-47, 416-20.

capital for prospecting lease, question of, 43-9, 86-102, 124, 180-216, 399-415, 423-33, 464-7.

competitors at the time of application of the present lessees for the lease, 193-217, 347-59, 459-63, 465, 482, 549.

complaints having been made as to how leases were to be got, knows of, 284-95.

concession being valuable or not, no evidence as to, 113-25, 184-6, 365-84, 421-2, 474.

covenants of the lease, enforcing of, 103-10, 129-33, 147-50, 186-8, 249-83, 464, 482, 495, 500, 552-7.

covenant of the lease re employment, 103-9, 259-79, 499.

covenant of the lease re rent, 59-62, 282-3.

covenant of the lease re returns, 104-12, 127-33, 249-79, 464, 495-8, 542-4, 551, 554.

decision in connection with the matter, his first, 29-30, 37.

Department’s policy in relation to grant of prospecting leases, 43-73, 86-94, 127-46, 173-5, 180-92, 201-3, 210-68, 324-34, 399-415, 423-48, 456-82.

Department’s policy is wrong, reply to the suggestion that, 222-68.

Department’s practice on this occasion not different to ordinary, 91-3, 134-48, 192, 210-2.

lease, difficulty in getting costs of, 280-3.

lease, nature of, 61-5, 168, 190-2, 248, 385-90.

Minister was not consulted, believes that, 156-7, 333, 456-7, 468-73.

Minister’s knowledge of the matter, date of, 547-8.

Minister’s action in granting the demise was not improper, 360-4.

Minister did not influence grant of demise, 471-2.

Minister’s consent for license of 27th April, question of, 513-6.

Mr. Lyburn, consultations with, 117-25, 296-317, 449-55, 473-82.

Norman family, references to, 54, 74-88, 169-79, 391-6.

Oireachtas members, concessions to or State contracts with, 180, 183, 322-34, 507-12, 519-41.

politics did not enter into grant of lease, 342-3, 360-3, 471-2, 507-12.

prospecting, technical advice for, 50, 86-90, 173-5.

royalty, views about the, 110, 188, 231-47, 365-83, 458, 475-82, 517-8.

secrecy, lease not given under conditions of, 344-6.

sublease, no official application for consent of Minister to, 484-93.

L.

Lemass, Mr. SEÁN, 2192-589.

agreement with Mr. Heiser, financing of the, 2475-97.

allegations, refers to Deputy McGilligan’s, 2192, 2234-65.

applicants for the lease, no pressure from, 2228.

“atmosphere,” views on suggestion of “radiation” of an, 2192, 2229, 2509-10, 2526, 2586.

competitors for lease of the same property, no other, 2586.

costs of lease, 2266-74, 2385, 2508.

covenant in lease re rent, 2266-74, 2385, 2472.

covenant in lease re employment, 2321-45, 2385, 2459-72, 2549.

covenant in lease re returns, 2318-20, 2384.

lease, nature of, 2192, 2260-2, 2415-20.

lease, nothing abnormal about, 2220-4, 2233, 2279.

lease being granted without his knowledge, nothing abnormal about, 2282-92, 2499-505.

letter of 25th April, 1935, interpretation of, 2204-12, 2347-403, 2424-57, 2492-6, 2562, 2569-76.

Messrs. Norman and Keogh, reference to, 2330-45.

mineral resources, general policy re, 2196-8, 2588-9.

Oireachtas members, views about concessions to, 2275-81, 2402-23.

politics and the grant of the lease, 2192, 2226-33, 2278-82, 2422, 2528, 2586-9.

prospecting, capital for, 2200-3.

statutory duties, delegation of, 2215-25, 2293-315, 2473-4, 2517-38, 2581.

secrecy, question of, 2192, 2406-20.

sublease, question of granting, 2202-3, 2211-4, 2378, 2399, 2403, 2425-34, 2494, 2564-5, 2574, 2577-8.

Leydon, Mr. John, 10-25, 1893-2190.

“atmosphere radiating” from the Minister, views about, 1926-35, 2089, 2095, 2115.

boring, question of, 2029-47.

covenant in lease re employment, 1978-89, 2024, 2156, 2170-4.

covenant in lease re rent, 2121-2, 2186.

Departmental practice re leases, 1950-2020.

documents in evidence, handed in, 10-14.

lease, Department has full control over disposal of an interest in the, 2065-72, 2129-38, 2140-52, 2183-8.

lease, responsibility of Minister for, 22-3.

lease, nature of, 23-5, 2026-9, 2061-2, 2123-35.

lease, question of preferential treatment in grant of, 1936-45, 2015-22, 2089, 2116-8, 2141, 2146.

lease, no pressure on officials re grant of, 1946-7.

letter of 25th April, 1935, interpretation of, 1893-8.

licence to erect mining unit, 1898-908.

Minister, lease not important enough to require personal attention of, 2113-4, 2118.

Minister and the overruling of decisions of officials, 2008-10, 2081-6.

Oireachtas, members of, and State contracts or property, 1909-12, 2008, 2011-3.

politics and grant of lease, 1922-47, 2091-8.

prospecting, views on expert advice for, 23-5, 1950-76, 2023.

prospecting, capital for, 1977-90, 2014, 2026-61, 2152-68, 2175-83.

statutory powers of Minister, delegation of, 15, 1913-21, 1991-2007, 2074-80, 2099-115.

sublease, agreement with Mr. Heiser in relation to, 1898, 1908, 2135-7.

sublease, not submitted or assented to, 2066.

Lyburn, Mr. Edward St. John, 1825-92.

“atmosphere radiating” from the Minister, views about, 1875.

covenant re employment, 1826, 1847-8, 1861-6.

lease, terms of; same as in British time here, 1876, 1889-91.

lease, no lack of geological consideration in drawing up, 1879-80.

lease, consulted re granting of, 1867-75, 1881-4.

prospecting, boring in relation to, 2037-46.

prospecting, capital for, 1843-6, 1885-8, 1892.

prospecting, question of skill for, 1843.

royalty, fixing of, 1825-8, 1883.

M.

McElligott, Mr. J. J., 1-9, 945-1126.

debt already paid, reference to demand for payment of, 1096-1102.

Departmental inquiries, cannot agree that no such were made, 999-1002, 1024-39, 1048-68.

Department of Industry and Commerce, views on inquiries made by, 1048-68.

documents in evidence, hands in, 1-9.

gold mining, views on relief schemes in relation to, 1069-95.

Hume case, 1121-1153.

lease, and papers connected, not seen by Minister for Finance, 964, 1015-20, 1108, 1115-7.

lease, no representations by any Deputy to influence grant of, 973-4, 1047.

lease, nothing unusual about the, 1124.

lease, position at end of two years’ prospecting, 1003-7.

Maconchy case, 1008-12, 1122-3.

Oireachtas, members of, and State contracts, 1040-6.

politics and the grant of the lease, 973-4, 979-80, 1047.

Quit Rent Office search, 1121-3.

royalty and rent, 970-2, 981.

secrecy in relation to grant of lease, 1123.

State Lands Act, analogy with procedure under, 982-96.

statutory obligations of Minister, delegation of, 949-68, 990-1, 1013-7, 1104-17.

McGilligan, Deputy P., B.L., 1127-1824.

agreement entered into by lessees, legitimacy of, 1156, 1484-7.

“atmosphere radiated” by the Minister, 1239-60, 1579-602, 1717-22, 1725-40, 1752-73.

“atmosphere radiated” by himself when Minister, 1581-90, 1599.

capital for lease, adequacy of, 1663-6.

Committee, query as to whether duly constituted, 1153-6, 1436.

Committee, views about terms of reference of, 1154, 1653.

Committee, alleges Mr. Harrison was in touch with members of, and witnesses, 1148, 1437-58, 1488-92, 1703-5, 1818-20; does not propose to disclose name of informant, 1448-56, 1816-9.

competitor for same rights, question of another, 1160, 1629-42, 1706-10, 1741-2.

Departmental examination of application for lease, 1229-90, 1492-7, 1561-9, 1600, 1663-82, 1723-39, 1742-73, 1788, 1791, 1810-2.

Departmental attitude to covenants of lease, 1752-73.

evidence, asks postponement of his, 1127-43.

evidence, correction of errors in transcript of, 1820-4.

files, inspection of, 1146.

information, states case on his sources of, 1432-58.

lease, nature of, and its implications, 1156, 1160, 1165-70, 1197-228, 1655-6, 1743.

lease, question of voiding, 1160, 1345-7, 1395-1410.

letter of 25th April, 1935, interpretation of, 1160, 1410-31, 1459-83, 1498-514, 1515-45, 1572-6, 1602, 1694-9, 1791-3, 1800.

Mines and Minerals Act and the previous position, 1280-1308.

Mr. Lyburn’s services, 1263-78, 1678-82.

Mr. Norman, Senr., and Mr. Norman, junr., references to, 1156-60, 1547-51, 1695.

Oireachtas, members of, and access to a Minister, 1156, 1234-5, 1317-8.

Oireachtas, members of, concessions to, 1156, 1160, 1486-7, 1651-2, 1661-3, 1691-5, 1711-5, 1789-91.

politics in relation to grant and continuance of lease, 1160-2, 1181-96, 1240-62, 1319-41, 1572-602, 1603-12, 1721-40.

résumé of statements and charges made by witness in the Dáil, 1156-60, 1572.

secrecy in reference to grant of lease, 1156, 1160-3, 1358-95, 1612-28, 1656-7, 1789.

statutory obligations of Minister, delegation of, 1221-8, 1307-16, 1388-94, 1658-61, 1683-8, 1775-8, 1815.

sublease, suggests that Minister should have indicated beforehand that he would refuse to sanction, 1156, 1335-71, 1402-7, 1477-8, 1502-11, 1525-45, 1572-5, 1590-1603, 1689-95, 1700, 1739, 1752-73, 1795-1809.

Teapot Dome scandal, 1171-96, 1247-8, 1331-3, 1590.

Maguire, Mr. William, 558-925.

applicants, previous, not in a position to proceed, 681-5, 909-25.

capital, adequacy of, 639-40, 711-22, 728, 745-6, 783-94.

competitors for demise of same rights, no other, 872-5.

covenants of lease, the Department and the, 588-603.

covenant re rent, latter not being paid punctually, views about, 582-7, 608-10.

covenant re making of returns, 588-94, 627-32, 752-61.

debt already paid by one of the lessees, misunderstanding as to, 884-9.

Departmental practice about inquiries, 577-8, 584-5, 595-610, 745-6, 881-3.

Departmental practice, not aware of any impropriety in, 880.

lease, nothing unusual about the application for, except possibly the size of the area, 564.

lease, application for, dealt with in ordinary way, 567-70.

lease, Minister did not see, 621-3.

lease, option put into the prospecting, 633.

lease, no evidence of the value (if any) of the property demised in, 640-1.

lease, Crown lease in the lands covered by this, 656-72, 892-5, 890-925, 1121-3.

lease, character of a prospecting, 733-44, 778-9, 792.

lease, question of technical skill for prospecting, 705-13, 722-32, 745, 807-10.

lease, tests before grant of 97 years’, 792-4.

letter of 25th April, 1935, proposal in last par. of, not formally considered by the Department, 822-3.

Mr. Norman, junr., position of, 811-3, 858-66.

Oireachtas, membership of, did not influence grant of lease, 569, 574-9, 867-9.

prospecting before lease granted, 748-51.

royalty, views about the, 571-3, 648, 703-4, 768-73, 778-82, 787, 834-8.

secrecy about the grant of the lease, no, 870-1.

State, views on investigation of the deposits by the, 644-50, 701, 881-3.

State should get what lessees expected to get, views on question that, 643, 837.

statutory obligations of Minister, did not advert to question of delegation of, 618-26.

sublease, question of, not formally considered, 795-804, 824-31.

sublease, functions of Department in relation to assignment of, 816-9.

sublease, views on proposed, 852-7.

Woods and Forests, nature of operations in Ireland of Commissioners of, 762-73.

N.

Norman, Mr. G. H. C., 4752-980, 5001-89.

agreement with Messrs. Comyn and Briscoe, 4773, 4888, 5008, 5018-28, 5048-54.

agreement for maintenance and travelling expenses, 4756-9, 4889-96, 5008, 5081-9.

agreement later, for wages, 4773, 5009-11.

charity, no truth in the statement that he was employed out of, 5005-7.

complaints against Messrs. Comyn and Briscoe, question of, 4883-6, 4954-80, 5005-7, 5014-7.

concession, value of, 4786, 4945, 4962, 4976.

documents, allegations in connection with his, 4776-87, 5068-9.

French firm providing plant, references to, 4773, 4860-77, 4949-50, 4955.

lease, the nine townlands for selected by him alone, 4756, 4788-830.

lease, alleges Senator Comyn’s view of, 4773.

lease, reference to letting matters drop in connection with, 4776-9, 4787, 4963-79.

letter of 9th July, 1935 from Deputy McGilligan, references to, 5001-4, 5032-47.

Messrs. Heiser and Dunn, views on, 4786.

Mr. Heiser, his first knowledge of, 4774-6.

offered to sell his share, 4773-7.

partnership, dissolution of, 4776-7, 4979-80.

prospecting, qualifications for, 4786, 4878-82.

prospecting, how done, 4786, 4914.

prospecting, his views as to the result of his, 4915-46.

prospecting, without lease, 4897-911, 5012-3, 5070-89.

services to Deputy Briscoe, other, 4768-72, 4831-58, 5055-66.

visits to Dublin, 4759-72.

S.

Summerfield, Mr. F. M., 4543-751.

Agreement with Mr. Heiser, 4544-50, 4554-70, 4574, 4609-12, 4618-28. 4633-7, 4734-41.

competitor, at that time, no other, so far as he knows, 4706.

complaints as to methods of getting leases, explanation of, 4544, 4680-9.

concession, value of, 4566, 4577.

Crusade Prospectors, Ltd., 4629-37.

inquiry, no connection with initiating the present, 4544, 4606-7.

Irish capital for the working of the concession, 4560, 4576, 4729-32.

Irish Prospectors, Ltd., 4698-702, 4708-10.

Mr. Dunn’s report, 4577-8, 4642-4.

Mr. Harrison’s proposals, knew nothing of, 4545, 4551-3, 4570-3, 4582-9.

Mr. Harrison’s proposals, made no threats in reference to, 4544, 4608, 4672-9.

Mr. Harrison, his relations with, 4645-61, 4696-7.

Mr. Harrison, question of repudiation of, by lessees, 4666-71.

Mr. Heiser, his introduction to, 4544, 4598-603, 4661-5, 4690-5.

Mr. Heiser, views on, 4579-81, 4598-602, 4613-6, 4652, 4735.

Mr. Heiser’s return to Ireland in Spring, 1935; 4690-5.

politics and the grant of the lease, 4703-7.

preferential treatment to any individual, question of, 4703.

protest by witness against references by Senator Comyn, 4543.

public or private company, 4566, 4575-6, 4638-41, 4724-33, 4751.

“sharks,” reference to, 4714.

sublease, question of obtaining, 4546, 4553, 4560-2, 4717-22, 4739-41.