Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Prospecting Licences.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

147 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position on the feasibility of developing the gypsum deposits at Glangevlin, County Cavan; the progress, if any, made to date; if he intends to set up a complementary industry; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced in this employment black spot of County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I refer the Deputy to Question No. 32 on 12 February 1997, in particular, and subsequent replies on 11 December 1997, 1 July 1998 and 4 November 1998. The position as I outlined at that time remains substantially unchanged. However, in April 1998, I did grant an extension of two years to the prospecting licence holder in order to give the holder sufficient time to allow the economic feasibility of exploiting the deposit to be assessed. That work is ongoing. The technical staff of my Department has been satisfied with the progress made on exploration and extraction studies to date and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

In this, as in any other case, a State mining facility would only be granted where I am satisfied that the mine would be commercially successful. As the Deputy is aware, planning permission would also have to be obtained from the local authority, and an integrated pollution licence from the Environmental Protection Agency.

I believe that an economically viable mine operating to best practice standards is a prerequisite to an environmentally sound operation and for the generation of sustainable employment in the region. Whether a complementary industry is set up is a long-term consideration, but I would certainly encourage any opportunity for further employment in the area.