asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state if it is his intention to grant a prospecting licence for coal, under Section 7 (1) of the Minerals Development Act, 1940 (No. 31 of 1940) to Chatterley-Whitfield Collieries, Limited, Norton-in-the-Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, England, in respect of the lands of Coolraheen, Clogharinka, Knockmajor, Coolcullen, Wildfield, Knockaguppage, Cassagh, Knockshanbally, Reevanagh, Baurnafea, Ballygorteen and Mountnugent in the County of Kilkenny, and in respect of certain adjoining townlands situate in the County of Carlow; the conditions upon which it is intended to grant such a licence; and whether, in the event of coal being discovered, he will state if the aforesaid company propose to form an Irish company to work the coal so found, and what percentage of the share capital of such company will be held by Irish nationals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal Prospecting Licence.
I have decided to grant a prospecting licence to Chatterley-Whitfield Collieries, Limited, Norton-in-the-Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, England, in respect of certain townlands in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow under the conditions normally attached to such licences. I understand that the company does not propose to form an Irish company to work any coal that may be found in the course of the prospecting.
Will private owners be compensated for any damage done in the way of bore holes?
There are ample statutory provisions covering them.