Vol. 439 No. 1
8 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when mining companies will commence prospecting for coal in view of the fact that exploration licences were granted in October 1993; the reasons for the unusual delay by his Department in confirming commencement of coal prospecting to the mining companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Slieveardagh Coalfield, County Tipperary where a prospecting licence authorising the licensee to prospect for coal was granted to Boulea Resources Limited, following a competition for prospecting licences available in the coalfield held last year. The licence is valid for a period of two years from 11 October, 1993. The exploration programme proposed by the company over the period of the licence was agreed by my Department prior to the issue of the licence. It is a matter for the company involved to decide when to commence prospecting under the licence provided they comply with the terms under which they were granted the licence, that is that they complete the agreed work programme within the two year term of the licence.
An application for a further prospecting licence for coal in the coalfield from WYG Limited is currently being processed by my Department and I expect to be in a position to issue this licence shortly when all the necessary requirements have been complied with by the company.
Other interested parties have also been in contact with my Department about other areas of the coalfield and I am hopeful that these will lead to further prospecting and mining operations in due course.
From my information, confirmation of neither licence has come forward. Should we not be getting on with the business of seeking out new and better quality coal deposits? Has the court decision in respect of Croagh Patrick any relevance to the delay in issuing those licences?
We should not forget that we are dealing with a specific question relating to the Slieveardagh area.
My question is relevant as there may be a hidden agenda in this regard.
I am dealing with mining, prospecting and licensing applications. We are not dealing with geography or particular locations. As Deputy Boylan comes from the mid-northern part of the country, I am sure he is well aware that Croagh Patrick is a long distance from these areas and does not have any relevance to the position. I do not know the Deputy's source of information, but I have given him the facts and if he has different information, I am baffled.
The information is that there is a hidden agenda in relation to a decision.
Deputy Boylan, please.
What information is the Deputy talking about?
This is Question Time and it is not appropriate to make statements.
There may be difficulties for mining and the issuing of a licence may in some way jeopardise that.
One whispering campaign is enough.
The Minister, Deputy Cowen, knows nothing about that. Do you hear the lily white talking?
I am sorry if I am upsetting the healing process.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Rather, the Minister is upsetting the hearing process.
