andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will now issue a mining licence in respect of that area of Navan, County Meath, prospected by Tara Mines Limited and, if not for all the area, for that portion which is not the subject of litigation.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Navan Mining Licence.
86.
I have already stated in the House that I have given an undertaking to this company to grant them a lease in respect of State-owned minerals in a number of townlands in the Navan area subject to such terms and conditions as I may consider proper or desirable in the public interest.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the validity of a Minerals Acquisition Order in respect of certain minerals in this area made by me in accordance with powers conferred on me by the Minerals Development Act, 1940, has been challenged and the decision of the courts in the matter is awaited. I would not regard it appropriate to consider at this stage the issue of a lease in respect of minerals not the subject of the litigation. Furthermore, as I have already stated in reply to previous questions. I am awaiting a report from an inter-departmental committee with recommendations on mining fiscal policy before deciding financial terms to be applied to any lease that I may grant in respect of this deposit.
Is the Minister aware that 85 per cent of the land under which the minerals are at Navan is not the subject of litigation, that property has been purchased all round there by Tara Mines, which means that they can mine that economically without touching the portion which is the subject of litigation at all? Is he further aware that the zinc market is being filled very rapidly, that the huge mining company of Cominco have made their arrangements with the Common Market; that there are two new mines —one in north Spain, Rubiales, and the other on Cornwallis Island; and that one of the things that could happen is that the provision here of a zinc smelter might be affected if we do not get into the zinc market quickly and get to the stage of supplying it? Is he further aware that £4.3 million has been spent at Navan; that there is to be £2 million spent at Drogheda and at Mornington; and that 500,000 tons of ore are to go out per year until such time as the zinc smelter is available; that the timing of this is of the greatest importance and that there is no reason at all why everything on one side of the River Boyne, 85 per cent of the deposit of zinc and other minerals, which is not the subject of litigation, cannot be the subject by him of a mining licence?
I appreciate a great deal of what the Deputy said but he will be aware that I have the height of respect for the Courts and that I had the unusual experience, in connection with this, of having to go to the Courts myself to give an explanation as to the reason for making the acquisition order. The President of the High Court on that occasion, which was early August, indicated that he hoped to give a decision before the end of that month. In that context I think I am justified in not indicating my position with regard to further discussions until that decision has come to hand. There should not be any great delay in that. I am mindful of the amount of money that has already been spent.
And the cost of money.
Yes. I cannot say whether the Deputy is correct when he says that the area under dispute only constitutes 15 per cent. He will be aware that in negotiating a lease, acting on behalf of the State I would be in a far stronger position if I could negotiate in respect of 100 per cent of the property as against negotiating in respect of 85 per cent of the field.
One could in that case expect to get a better deal in royalties. I am conscious of the fact that I have an inter-departmental committee studying the situation with a view to making recommendations to me in relation to my fiscal policy covering the negotiations of the lease. I am also expecting a report on this shortly. I do not anticipate at this stage that there will be any further considerable delay before we get ahead with the job.
Is the Minister aware that, on the latest available date, there were 453 people out of work in the Navan and Kells areas and that these people are looking to those mines as a prospect for jobs, and would he agree to undertake an intensive and rapid study of all the issues involved so that a lease may be issued as soon as possible consistent with the safeguard of the quality of life in the area?
I am mindful of this but I do not want to be accused of not having acted in the best interests of the people of the country in the long term.
(Cavan)): Question No. 87.
I should like to ask just one more supplementary question. The Minister indicated that he did not know whether the correct figure for the amount of land that could be leased separately was 85 per cent. It is all on one side of the River Boyne and it is 85 per cent. Will the Minister look at that with a view to taking a decision?
I have full rights on land on the other side as well.
I know that, but it is only 15 per cent of the mining area. Will the Minister look into that and see if he can do it quickly?
87.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the implications for the proposed mining development at Navan, County Meath, of existing and proposed EEC legislation on mining and/ or the other activities of the Community in this regard.
I am not aware of any existing or proposed EEC legislation or of any other activities of the Community which would have implications for the proposed mining development at Navan, County Meath.