asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has acquired any up-to-date information as to ownership of minerals in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Mineral Ownership.
135.
I presume the Deputy's question relates in particular to his supplementary question on 13th November, 1975: "Is there any record, first, of the amount of minerals owned by the State and by individuals and, secondly, of minerals that do not seem to be owned by anybody?".
The position is that all reserves of gold, silver and petroleum are State-owned. An estimated 65 per cent of all other mineral rights are owned by the State; the remaining 35 per cent are in private ownership.
The Land Commission are the main source of information on the ownership of minerals, other than gold, silver and petroleum. The practice is to ask the Land Commission to investigate mineral ownership in areas which are regarded as having some mineral potential and this information is placed on open file at the Geological Survey Office of my Department. The Geological Survey Office estimate that not more than 10 per cent of the entire country has commercial mineral potential and mineral ownership has been determined and information filed in respect of 50 per cent of that area. This information is continually being added to as interest is expressed in particular areas.
As to the second part of the Deputy's supplementary question, all minerals would have to fall within either of the two categories, State-owned or privately owned. Identification of individual present day owners of private minerals can, of course, in some cases, pose problems.