Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:42 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Energy if he has any expectations of minerals being discovered in Ireland in exploitable quantities in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Mineral Exploration.
Liam Kavanagh
Ceist:51 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Energy if he will give details of the number of mineral exploration activities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 51 together.
A substantial amount of minerals prospecting activity is being maintained throughout the country, with 721 prospecting licences currently held by some 55 companies.
Minerals exploration is a high risk activity and the success rate in terms of exploitable deposits discovered is quite low. While I very much hope that new mineral deposits will be discovered in exploitable quantities in 1990, the Deputy will appreciate that because of the nature of the business it is not possible to have specific expectations of success.