asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give an assurance that licences for mining in any of the national park areas will not be granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mining Licences.
2.
Mining activities are subject to planning permission under the Local Government Planning Act in the same way as other forms of development and such legislation is the legal machinery for protecting areas of environmental and amenity interest which might be affected by such activities. While I have no statutory function in relation to the protection of the environment, I can assure the Deputy that in exercising my powers under the minerals legislation to grant prospecting and mining licences I give full consideration to the safeguarding of such areas before granting any such facilities. It is the practice not to grant facilities in respect of areas which might be regarded as coming within the category of national parks.