asked the Minister for the Environment the action he has taken or intends to take to ensure that prospecting for gold, zinc and other minerals and mining activities do not cause serious environmental damage in the areas in which they are undertaken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mining Activities.
2.
Mining development is generally subject to planning and other statutory environmental controls, including the requirements of air and water pollution legislation. Accordingly it is primarily a matter for a local authority in whose area mining activities are proposed to ensure that any development occurs in a manner which avoids or minimises adverse effects on the environment.
Since 1977, planning law has required an environmental impact assessment for certain mining development which could give rise to pollution or nuisance. Further requirements as to environmental impact assessment, in line with EC Directive 85/337, were notified by my Department in July, 1988. An environmental impact study will accordingly have to be prepared for any mining project for which planning permission is sought which is adjudged likely to have significant effects for the environment. By identifying the potential impact of a development clearly and comprehensively, such studies should result in a better assessment of the action necessary to prevent or limit environmental damage.
Mineral prospecting, as distinct from full mining activity, would not normally in itself have significant effects on the environment. It is controlled by the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1979, and licences under those Acts may be granted on such terms and conditions as the Minister for Energy thinks proper.
While I am satisfied as to the adequacy of existing statutory controls and safeguards for ensuring that mining development takes place in accordance with acceptable environmental standards, I will of course continue to keep developments in this area under review.
Is the Minister aware that in the West Galway and Mayo region alone there are 17 different companies engaged in gold mining? Does the Minister accept that there is need for public involvement at a very early stage in the context of both prospecting for gold and other ores and in the context of the development of mines? Have any studies been conducted by the Minister's Department in conjunction with the Department of Health as to the full implications for the health and livelihoods of the people of the areas in which it is intended that mining should be carried out by many of the companies currently engaged in prospecting?
There is no gold mining going on in the west. No applications for planning permission for gold mining development have been received in County Galway or in County Mayo.
There is prospecting.
The Deputy is right in that there is prospecting going on.
Is prospecting taking place?
Yes, and licences, I understand, have been issued by the Minister for Energy in so far as certain prospecting operations are concerned. As the Deputy quite rightly mentioned, nothing can take place by way of mining operations until all the necessary planning procedures and formalities have been gone through. No such applications have been received.
Has the Minister's Department, by way of forward planning, engaged in any study as to the likely health and environmental consequences if some of the 17 companies, and other companies engaged in other types of mining prospecting at present, seek planning permission? Has any study of that nature been carried out? Is the Minister aware that environmental impact assessments under his own direction are not a requirement — only a discretionary consideration — in the context of a planning application? Would the Minister now consider arranging for a study to be carried out as to the possible health and environmental consequences to the regions concerned if mining activities, of the nature that appears to be likely, are subsequently engaged in so as to ensure the necessary safeguards are properly put in place?
Much of this is hypothetical and I think the Deputy recognises that. I believe there are about 760 prospecting licences in operation in the country at present. I take it that prospecting is exactly what it means — that they are hoping to find something. Until such time as there is a planning application for actual mining, much of what the Deputy refers to is superfluous. It is important to remember that any mining operation will require planning permission and also may require a licence for the discharge to air and water under both the Air Pollution Act and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act respectively. So far as environment impact assessment is concerned, that will be attached to any application that may come in the future, in relation to mining. There has been provision for that in the planning laws since 1977.
Let us have a reply now to Question No. 3.
Does the Minister believe the local authorities have the expertise to assess the environmental impact studies in this area?
But of course they would——
Can the Minister stand over their expertise in these areas?
Please Deputy Shatter let us make some progress. Question No. 3 please.
The Minister clearly cannot stand over their expertise.
Of course they have expertise in those areas.
The Minister——
Please Deputy Shatter, we must make some progress. The Deputy must desist from these interruptions.
Can the Minister stand over their expertise in this area?
The Deputy is ignoring the Chair. We must now proceed to deal with other questions.