Will the Minister clarify what is meant by "certain prospecting licences"?
SECTION 3.
Question proposed: "That section 3 stand part of the Bill."
Where is the Deputy reading that?
It is in section 3 which relates to the validation of certain prospecting licences.
The section concerns validation of renewals and renewal clauses of certain prospecting licences. This provides for retrospective validation in case there is ever a legal question about their status.
The use of the word "certain" must mean that the Minister is referring to a specific type or group.
No. It refers to those that have been renewed in case there is any question about their validity.
Certain prospecting licences refers to prospecting licences that were renewed previously?
Yes. This legislation is deemed necessary by our legal advisers to put beyond doubt the legality of the renewal procedure for prospecting licences. Some have already been renewed prior to this legislation and this section is necessary to put that beyond doubt.
Question put and agreed to.