The sum of £229,265 was received by way of fees, royalties and rents in the year ended 31 December 1995 in respect of one State mining licence and 17 State mining leases. The answers to the Deputy's other questions are set out in the following table.
I would refer the Deputy to the statutory six-monthly reports which I am obliged to present to both Houses of the Oireachtas, under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1995, which give details of all State mining facilities — leases and licences — and prospecting licences in force under those Acts. The report for the six months to 31 December 1995 (PN 2265) was presented on 2 February 1996.
I am currently examining an application for a State mining facility in respect of a proposed major zinc and lead mine at Lisheen, County Tipperary, and a proposed calcite mine at Kilbreckan, County Clare, for which planning permission and an integrated pollution control licence have also been applied for and are required before mining could take place. Other mine development possibilities are also being actively pursued with the interests concerned.