Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Minerals Policy Review Group.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

21 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the terms of reference and the names of the members of the National Minerals Policy Review Group; the reason for the delay in finalising their report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6498/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The terms of reference and the names of the 15 members of the National Minerals Policy Review Group are as follows.

Terms of Reference:—to identify the actual contribution, which the Minerals Industry is making, both directly and indirectly, to job creation and the National Economy generally; to evaluate the potential for downstream industrial development using Irish mine production and measures which might lead to such development; to review the international competitiveness of mining in Ireland; to consider the extent, if any, to which fiscal incentives for the minerals industry are necessary and or desirable and, if so, the form which they should take and the expected benefits therefrom; to examine the potential and associated cost of a more aggressive approach to the promotion of Ireland as a favourable location for minerals exploration and the agency or agencies most suited to undertake such promotion; to review the provisions of the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1979, with particular reference to the extent to which the financial terms of a State mining facility should be standardised and published, and the State's sole right to work minerals under the 1979 Act; to assess the role of the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications and its relationship with other agencies, so as to ensure that mining is carried out and seen to be carried out in an environmentally acceptable fashion and, in particular, to ensure that there are no unnecessary impediments to sustainable development.

Members of Review Group

Mr. Peter Quinn (Chairman)

Mr. Desmond J. Burke

Professor Frank Convery

Mr. Patrick Donnelly

Mr. Kevin Duffy

Mr. Eero Laatio

Professor Alan Matthews

Dr. Peadar McArdle

Mr. Eugene McCague

Mr. Michael McCarthy

Mr. Hugh McCullough

Mr. Sarge Robinson

Ms. Sue Scott

Mr. Christian Schaffalitzky

Mr. Michael Slattery.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the review being undertaken is a fundamental one which was long overdue and is one which has to be done thoroughly. I am assured that the review group has proceeded diligently with its work, in addressing its comprehensive terms of reference, and has conducted the necessary research on which to base its recommendations, including a detailed assessment of fiscal arrangements in key competing countries for which comparable data were not readily available.

I expect to receive the review group's report with recommendations next month. I shall give it my urgent attention when I receive it and arrange for copies to be presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas.