asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will initiate a plan for a mineral survey of Mayo regions where known mineral deposits exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Mineral Survery.
22.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to a question by him on this subject on 3rd March, 1971, which indicated that there are at present 54 prospecting licences current in respect of areas in County Mayo.
Under the Minerals Development Acts, prospecting licences are made available to competent private enterprise concerns having the necessary financial resources and technical expertise to carry out exploration work. Licences are granted subject to the applicants undertaking approved programmes of work and such work is done under the general supervision of the geological survey of my Department. While it is the practice of the survey to bring to the notice of inquirers areas considered to be promising, the Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter for the companies concerned to choose the areas in respect of which they will seek prospecting licences.
Can the Minister tell us how many Irish people have been granted licences and what proportion of the licences granted was granted to Irish people?
It does not arise.
It does arise.
The question relates to County Mayo only.
Surely I am allowed to ask the Minister how many Irish people in Mayo—would the Ceann Comhairle mind?
I would not mind.
I am not in a position to say how many Irish people are living in Mayo.
I am talking about prospecting licences.
The population in Mayo is going down anyway.
Question No. 23.