asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the percentage area of the Twenty Six Counties covered by prospecting licences current at 1st January in (a) 1964, (b) 1965, (c) 1966, (d) 1967, and (e) 1968, and at the latest available date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prospecting Licences.
101.
The percentage area of the State covered by prospecting licences current on the dates mentioned was as follows: 1st January, 1964, 5 per cent; 1st January, 1965, 3.6 per cent; 1st January, 1966, 6.5 per cent; 1st January, 1967, 11.6 per cent; 1st January, 1968, 19.4 per cent; and 30th June, 1968, 22.7 per cent.