asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of mineral prospecting licences at present issued by his Department.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Mineral Prospecting Licences.
62.
Five hundred and ninetysix prospecting licences are currently valid.
Is there any particular system in the Minister's Department of checking on the bona fides of the various companies applying for mineral prospecting licences? Are there any valuations done prior to the issue of such licences? Are the bona fides continually checked? In view of the fact that 596 licences have been issued, how does the Department keep the matter under review?
When licences are applied for the applicants are "vetted" so that my Department must be satisfied that they have the competence and resources to carry out the prospecting required under the licence. The licence is issued for a period of one year and is renewable yearly subject to satisfactory performance by the applicant during the previous year.