Vol. 467 No. 7
31 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the measures, if any, he has taken to ensure that the Gypsum deposit at Glangevlin, County Cavan is extracted at the earliest possible date; the further measures, if any, he will take to ensure that the gypsum will be processed locally and that the maximum benefit will accrue to the local community in terms of job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14104/96]
It is premature to discuss possible development of the Glangevlin gypsum deposit until such time as the extent and quality of the deposit and the commercial viability of mining it have been established. That has not yet been done.
The current prospecting licence holder, Gypsum Industries, PLC, is undertaking a proper exploration programme in relation to the deposit and has commenced drilling. That exploration programme is being monitored closely by my Department.
Even if that exploration programme establishes in a year or two that the deposit could be developed commercially, no mining or processing could start until after the necessary planning permission, an Environmental Protection Agency licence and a State mining facility have been granted.
Where and how gypsum would be processed would be a commercial matter for the developer.
