Vol. 449 No. 4
15 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of mining licence applications which were received in his Department in 1994; the number of licences granted in 1994 and to date in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3645/95]
In 1994 my Department received one application for a State mining facility. This application is currently under consideration.
There were no mining facilities granted in 1994. To date this year no applications have been received. One mining facility was granted — the State mining licence for zinc and lead to Arcon Mines Limited over an area at Galmoy in County Kilkenny.
I presume the Minister was satisfied to grant a licence to Arcon Mines Limited. Will he confirm that having conducted an examination following his appointment as Minister, everything pertaining to this application was carried out to the highest standards?
This is primarily a statistical question.
No, it relates to granting mining licences. The Minister stated he has granted only one licence this year and I wish to discuss it with him. As the Minister granted the licence he must have been satisfied but are the members of the Government, past and present, and the Members of all the parties in Government satisfied that the licence should have been granted? Will the Minister confirm——
The Deputy is clearly going beyond the bounds of this question.
——that his predecessor in office acted with the highest integrity and to the highest standards at all times in ensuring that this licence application was progressed in the interests of the nation?
We are moving on to Question No. 15.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I asked a question.
Has the Minister an answer for Deputy Treacy?
The licence granted to Arcon was the subject of extensive research and detailed analysis by numerous professionals representing my Department, Kilkenny County Council, An Bord Pleanála and the Mining Board. I am absolutely convinced I made the correct decision in granting this licence and that the mining development will be conducted to the highest possible international standards.
I agree. Will the Minister confirm that he had many discussions with officials in his Department pertaining to this application before a licence was granted and will he now inform the House that no official at any level at any time was wheeled out by a former Minister to speak to the press on this matter?
That is beside the point——
These are important matters——
I am sure they are Deputy, but they do not refer to this question.
——relating to a Member who served this country with great distinction and against whom unfair allegations were made in this House and I think it is important that they are corrected here.
I am sorry the Minister is not in a position to answer Deputy Treacy's question.
I was ruled out of order.
I accept that. Considering that no licences were granted in 1994 and only one in 1995, to what does the Minister attribute the low number of applications for mining licences? Will the Government study the situation and bring forward initiatives to attract more exploration? We have known mineral resources but yet no application for a mining facility was made in 1995 and only one in 1994? Is that to be the future trend or is it planned to attract environment friendly exploration?
The matter to which Deputy Treacy refers was addressed in great detail in this House. All the points raised by him were addressed by the then Opposition and I am happy to let the record stand.
The Minister has not corrected the record — unfair allegations were made against an eminent public servant.
On Deputy Brennan's question he will appreciate that although we are still at the early stage of 1995 I am very concerned about the matter. I have a very positive attitude to exploration for natural mineral resources. Much needs to be done to encourage it in a manner compatible with the environment to benefit our economy. I have asked the National Minerals Policy Group to prepare a report and I look forward to receiving it within a few months. When we receive the report, a decision will be taken on whether to publish it. My intention is to obtain Government decisions on the review group's recommendations as quickly as possible. I expect the group will come up with some imaginative proposals to ensure that we have positive developments in this area.
Is the Minister in a position to indicate when he expects to issue the next mining licence?
Three applications with my Department are being assessed. As soon as I can make an informed decision I will do so. I know the Deputy has a particular interest in this area and I will inform him of progress as soon as possible.
I have a general interest in all issues.
