Dáil Éireann - Volume 401 - 10 July, 1990

Written Answers. - Prospecting Licences.

Mr. McGinley Mr. McGinley

132. Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the townlands in County Donegal for which prospecting licences have been issued to date; the companies concerned in each case; the conditions and nature of the licence issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy) Robert Molloy

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy): The Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1979, provide for the granting of mineral prospecting licences which authorise the holders to enter upon the lands specified and there to carry out surveys or other investigations to ascertain whether mineral deposits of commercial interest exist there.

A condition attached to all licences is that the licences must obtain planning permission in advance under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, for any work contemplated under the licences which would require such permission.

Prospecting licences holders are also required to carry out their operations in conformity with good prospecting practices and not to interfere unnecessarily with the amenities of the locality in which the license area is situated.

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In cases where my Department is [973] aware of an environmentally sensitive site, for example, an historic monument, detailed instructions are given to the licensee regarding their operations, otherwise they are required to consult the Office of Public Works or other relevant bodies.

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There are at present 44 prospecting licences granted to ten companies (Appendix A). The licences were issued for an initial term of two years subject to payment of the appropriate fee, and to the conditions generally applicable to the grant of prospecting licences. They were subsequently renewed for further periods, [974] my Department being satisfied that sufficient prospecting work had been carried out and that acceptable work programmes would be undertaken.

There are several hundred townlands in the above licensed areas and the Deputy will appreciate that due to time constraints and staffing resources it is not possible to give a detailed list of the townlands in the reply.

Appendix A

Following is the information requested in relation to current valid prospecting licences in County Donegal.

Name and address of Licensees:

1. Aquitaine Mining Ireland Ltd., Gardner House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. in joint venture with Cluff Mineral Exploration Ltd., 58 St. James Street, London SW1A 1LD, England and Silvermines plc., 43 Ailesbury Rd. Dublin 4.

2. Aquitaine Mining Ireland Ltd., Gardner House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2.

3. Burmin Exploration and Development plc., Modeshill, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary.

4. Cluff Mineral Exploration Ltd., 58 St. James Street, London SW1A 1LD, England.

5. Cobh Exploration Limited, 118 Herbert Park, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

6. Chevron Mineral Corporation of Ireland 1st Floor, Fitzwilton House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2.

7. Feltrim Mining plc. 43-49 Mespil Road, Dublin 4.

8. Rio Tinto Finance and Exploration plc., St. James Square, London SW1Y 4LD England.

9. Tara Prospecting Ltd., Knockumber, Navan Co. Meath.

10. Westland Exploration Ltd., 162 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.

Dáil Éireann 401 Written Answers. Prospecting Licences.

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