Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 1990

Vol. 400 No. 9

Written Answers. - Prospecting Licences.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

150 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the townlands in County Leitrim for which prospecting licences have been issued to date; the companies concerned in each case; the conditions and nature of the licence issued in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

151 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the townlands in County Sligo for which prospecting licences have been issued to date; the companies concerned in each case; the conditions and nature of the licence issued in each case, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.

The Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1979, provide for the granting of mineral prospecting licences which authorise the holders to enter upon the lands specified and there to carry out surveys or other investigations to ascertain whether mineral deposits of commercial interest exist there.

A condition attached to all licences is that the licensees must obtain planning permission in advance under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976 for any work contemplated under the licences which would require such permission.

Prospecting licences holders are also required to carry out their operations in conformity with good prospecting practices and not to interfere unnecessarily with the amenities of the locality in which the licence area is situated.

In cases where my Department are aware of an environmentally sensitive site e.g. an historic monument, detailed instructions are given to the licensee regarding their operations. Otherwise they are required to consult the Office of Public Works or other relevant bodies.

There are at present 15 prospecting licences granted to five companies in Counties Sligo and Leitrim (Appendix A). The licences were issued for an initial term of two years subject to payment of the appropriate fee, and to the conditions generally applicable to the grant of prospecting licences. Some of these licences are at present being renewed for further periods, my Department being satisfied that sufficient prospecting work had been carried out and that acceptable work programmes would be undertaken.

There are a large number of townlands in the licensed areas and the Deputy will appreciate that due to time constraints and staffing resources it is not possible to give a detailed list of the townlands in the reply.

Appendix A

Following is the information requested in relation to current valid prospecting licences in County Sligo.

Name and address of Licensees:

1. Newmont Oversea Exploration Limited, c/o Orebase Exploration Services Limited, Robinstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
3380	Shancough and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3382	Cloonacool and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3383	Drummartin and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3384	Kilmacreige and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3385	Fiddandarry and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3387	Dunowla (part) and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3388	Tawnatrohaun and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988
3396	Coolaney and adjoining townlands	Sligo	24/5/1988

2. Navan Resources plc, 3 Railway Street, Navan, County Meath

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
1565	Ardee and adjoining townlands	Sligo	14/10/1988
3430	Cams and adjoining townlands	Sligo	12/10/1988

3. Conroy Petroleum and Natural Resources plc, 55 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
1435	Kilfree and adjoining townlands	Sligo	11/10/1988

Following is the information requested in relation to current valid prospecting licences in County Leitrim.

Name and address of Licensees:

4. Flynn & Lehany Voal Mines Limited, C/o Mr. John Barnett, 17 Castle Street, Dalkey, County Dublin.

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
3086	(limited to coal) Barnameenagh (part) and adjoining townlands	Leitrim	29/1/1987

5. Tara Prospecting Limited, Knockumber House, Navan, County Meath

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
2334	Drumod More and adjoining town- lands	Leitrim	19/5/1988

6. Newmount Overseas Exploration Limited, c/o Orebase Exploration Services Limited, Robinstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
3162	Twigspark and adjoining town- lands	Leitrim	4/10/1988

7. Conroy Petroleum and Natural Resources plc, 55 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Area No.	Townlands	County	Commencement Date
3568	Drumshanbo and adjoining town- lands	Leitrim	11/10/1988