Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I move amendment No. 8:

In page 22, lines 17 and 18, to delete “, for the minerals described in the current application”.

Section 17 allows a new applicant to apply for a prospecting licence over an area which is already the subject of a prospecting licence or retention licence, however, both the application and the existing licence must relate to different minerals. The existing licensee whose interest is in, let us say, minerals A, B and C, has, in effect, a standing statement of interest over other minerals in the area of his or her licence. In the event that a new and different applicant applies for let us say, minerals D, E and F, the sitting licensee is entitled to be notified of the new application and afforded the opportunity to submit a competing application within a specified period. However, for reasons of commercial sensitivity, it is not considered appropriate that the identity of the minerals applied for by the new applicant be revealed to the existing licensee. The amendment proposed corrects an error in the existing text which would have required the Minister to notify the existing licensee of the additional minerals applied for in the new application.