Vol. 540 No. 1
154 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will state Government policy regarding the extraction and distribution of national natural resources; and the term and conditions which were applied in the sale of these resources to private multinational companies. [19780/01]
I understand that the Deputy is particularly interested in former lead, zinc and copper mines. Under the Minerals Development Acts, which embody the current policy in relation to minerals, I seek to maximise the interest in exploring for minerals and to further the exploitation of economic ore bodies where they are found subject to the various permits under the Acts. These include prospecting licences, State mining leases and State mining licences. They allow me to convey to interested parties, who have demonstrated their bona fides and capability, the authority to exploit what is a State resource subject to an equitable sharing of the fruits of that effort between the State and the permit holder. The report which I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas for each half year gives details of the consideration being charged under each permit.
