Vol. 417 No. 7
125 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the terms of the prospecting licence contemplated for a company (details supplied) in respect of property in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Notice of my intention to grant a prospecting licence to the company concerned has recently been advertised. The standard terms of the licence are set out in the specimen copy which I have forwarded to the Deputy. A licence holder is required to inform, as far as may be practical, the land owner or surface occupier before entering any property to carry out prospecting work and to meet promptly any claims for compensation arising out of operations under the licence. I may also impose such other conditions as I consider necessary.
I would suggest that if the owners of the land holding in question have any concerns about my granting a licence in this case, they should convey these to my Department and I will take their views fully into consideration in deciding on the prospecting licence application.
