Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Mineral Deposits.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

296 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he has taken to enter into negotiations with Kilkenny County Council or the National Roads Authority to accommodate the preferred route of the N9 at Dunbell, Kilkenny, in an effort to avoid the devastation of a local rural community; the statutory basis for his Department's objection; the number of meetings which have taken place between his Department and others since this issue arose; if, in view of the fact that this mineral is scheduled under the 1941 Act, his Department will move to protect all deposits in this area; if the mineral will be removed from the schedule; the way in which he can justify a 13-fold increase in the royalty being paid; if the timing of each increase will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29829/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern):

This subject has been comprehensively dealt with in replies to Questions Nos. 318 of 11 November, 216 of 25 November, 213 of 2 December and a Dáil Adjournment debate on 4 December 2003.

The Department's right and duty to manage and protect the State's mineral wealth is enshrined in the Constitution, section 10 of which says that all natural resources belong to the State. The Department's position regarding this proposed road, and its possible impact on existing and future mineral reserves, is therefore well founded.

With regard to the other issues raised, the Department has had four meetings with Kilkenny County Council and-or the National Roads Authority, the Department will act to protect any other known mineral deposits in the area, there are no proposals to de-schedule dolomite from the Minerals Development Act 1940, and any new lease will be subject to a current rate of royalty which will be reviewed every four years to take account of changes in the consumer price index. The mining lease of 1968 was subject to a fixed rate of royalty which was not index-linked.