Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
120. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the submission period for observations and objections to the granting of a prospecting licence (details supplied). [45123/22]
View answerThe Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999 require 21 days' public notice of the Minister’s intention to grant a prospecting licence and for the receipt of any submissions. In practice and in line with Environmental Impact Assessment Directive guidance, this public consultation period is extended to thirty days for the receipt of submissions. This public consultation was open from 3 August 2022 to 3 September 2022. The thirty-day public notice of the intention to grant the prospecting licence in question was published on gov.ie, local newspapers, the Kanturk and Kenmare Garda Stations, Cork and Kerry County Council offices and in the office of the Geological Survey Ireland.An extension to the completed thirty-day public consultation is not being considered by my Department.
