asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of mineral exploration licences issued during each of the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976; and the number surrendered in each of these years.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mineral Exploration Licences.
3.
The number of prospecting licences issued during each of the years referred to by the Deputy was 222, 75, 40, 224, 118, 87, 35 and 96, respectively, perhaps I should interpolate for the information of Deputies that the years in question are 1969 to 1976, inclusive; the number surrendered in each of the years in question was 138, 101, 65, 57, 24, 99, 65 and 196, respectively. In addition to the 96 licences actually issued in 1976, a further 90 were approved for issue and these are now being processed.