asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is yet in a position to announce details of a natural resources policy.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Natural Resources Policy.
11.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in respect of his statement on 13th December last, he is now in a position to release the documents setting out the conditions under which exclusive off-shore exploration licences may be granted.
13.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he intends to issue his White Paper on mineral resources and the oil and gas developments off the south coast.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle. I propose taking Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.
In regard to mining policy I would refer the Deputy to my speech on 13th December, 1974, in the House on the 1974 Estimates for the Department of Industry and Commerce in which I outlined the present position. The overriding objective of the Government's policy is to secure a fair share of the profits from our mineral resources for the nation and to provide an adequate degree of control to ensure that the fruits of exploiting our resources are realised to the maximum extent in this country. In our present circumstances, I consider that this objective can best be achieved by way of balanced mix of private enterprise and State participation which will enable the State to exercise a greater measure of influence over the production and processing of our mineral resources.
I have made it clear that there is no intention of discouraging private prospectors and that any prospectors discovering commercial deposits can rest assured that they will receive leases on terms which will be fair and reasonable. Our requirements in regard to lease terms will be applied in a reasonable and flexible manner and will differentiate between exceptionally profitable operations and others, so as to ensure that the mining companies receive a fair and adequate return on their investment in mining in this country.
As the Deputy is aware, legislation has already been enacted withdrawing the tax exemption from the base metal sector and replacing it by an alternative taxation system tailored specifically to meet the needs of the Irish mining industry. Legislation was also enacted last year providing for tax relief for coal enterprises proving hardship. Agreement in principle has already been reached which will give the State a measure of participation in the operation of the privately owned minerals at Navan. As the Deputy is aware, the determination of lease terms in respect of the State-owned minerals at Navan is being held up because of legal proceedings which have been instituted against the State by the mining interests concerned.
As regards the conditions under which exclusive off-shore exploration licences may be granted, I expect to remove the last remaining obstacles to publication of these in the very near future. A statement of policy in regard to the development of our petroleum resources will be published at the same time.
Would the Minister agree that the public are becoming exasperated at having to listen to this waffle being repeated instead of there being a definite policy on mining and exploration? My question asks when, having regard to the Minister's statement in this House on December 13th last, he will be in a position to let us have the documents setting out the conditions under which exclusive exploration licences may be issued. The Minister told us then that these documents would be available in the near future but these words are repeated again today. For how long more will this fiddling continue while Rome burns?
I could not accept the implications of the Deputy's statement. From talking with members of the public I know that they are anxious that the Minister will achieve the best terms possible for this country.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
The public would prefer to wait another few weeks so that the right terms can be achieved rather than to have the Minister rushing in with proposals that were not properly considered or researched. I am confident that that is the attitude of the public generally.
In the case of Marathon everything was given away for nothing.
Order.
Is it any wonder that the public are annoyed with the replies we are being given in relation to this important matter, replies which are designed to give the impression that something magnanimous is to be done which we would not have done?
May we have brief questions, please?
The Minister is being motivated by political influence and has decided that it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.
I do not know what is meant by that. I repeat that to my knowledge the public are concerned with the question of the best policy possible being adopted by the Government. They are anxious that the best deal possible be made.
There is nobody disputing that.
There is some overlapping between my Department and the Department of Industry and Commerce in this matter. Deputies should realise that whatever policy is adopted by the Minister, and this will be announced in the near future, will affect the lives of our people for two generations.
Already, the Minister's attitude is affecting them seriously. Is it because the Government cannot agree on a policy that there is such delay?
That is not so.
Is it because of the doctrinaire tug-o'-war that is going on within the Cabinet?
Even the Deputy does not believe that to be the case but it was a good try on his part.
There has been a good try at whitewashing in so far as this matter is concerned. Is the Minister aware of the rampant unemployment in the country and that, the Government, in not making up their minds on a mining policy, are causing a worsening of the situation?
That is not so.
Can the Minister tell the House who sold the rights to Marathon Oil? It would be interesting to hear what profit accrued to this country in respect of that transaction.
That is a separate question.
Deputy O'Sullivan would make a lovely Senator.
Since the Minister has said that the Government's mining policy will affect the next two generations of workers, would he be prepared to indicate his sincerity in this regard by coming to the rescue of the Avoca Mines and protecting the jobs that are in jeopardy there and also in restoring the employment that has been lost at the mines recently? There is no point in saying——
Has the Deputy a question?
——that Avoca Mines should bring in another private partner because there is nobody from outside who is prepared to come to their rescue as a result of the Government's attitude towards mining, especially the situation that has developed during the past couple of months.
The Deputy may not make a speech at Question Time.
May I have a reply, please?
Question No. 14.