Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 30, line 3, to delete "may" and substitute "shall".

The purpose of these amendments is to ensure greater accountability to the Oireachtas in respect of prospecting licences, environmental issues and environmental protection. Mistakes have been made in the past in regard to our natural resources, for which, unfortunately, parts of the country such as Silvermines in Tipperary, continue to pay. There are some good examples of mining and some bad examples of it also. Overall, this Bill is welcome in that it consolidates the legislation in this area.

Amendment No. 2 relates to the granting of prospecting licences. We need to ensure that the Minister shall make regulations in this area and report back. This will ensure that the manner of making the application for the company or the person, as well as the timeframe in that regard, is specific and regularly reviewed.

Amendment No. 3 seeks to ensure that regulations around the granting of licences is reviewed every five years, that these regulations will be on the public record and that they provide for a reporting mechanism. The five-year timeframe is important. We are being practical about this. We are not seeking to shorten the timeframe too much or to make things awkward or difficult for people in this sector. We believe a five-year review is practical.

Amendment No. 4 seeks to ensure that the Minister publishes a directive in regard to adherence to compliance to protect the environment. We need to be as firm, legally, as possible in terms of any potential environmental implications arising from the mining practice. This amendment seeks to place an obligation on the Minister to specifically ensure there is compliance in terms of environmental issues.

Amendment No. 5 proposes that the Minister shall report and review these environmental practices and directives every five years. Again, we are seeking a regular reporting mechanism under this Act to ensure accountability and transparency.

The aim of these amendments is to ensure accountability in terms of the industry and to ensure we have good environmental practice to protect our natural resources. At the end of the day, minerals belong to the State and the people and it is important that we have a good regulatory system in place in this area but not regulation that prevents or inhibits legitimate mining. This is an important industry. In 2012, the turnover was €426 million and in 2011 it was €454 million, such that this is a substantial industry. We need to ensure it is not inhibited in any way and that we continue to enjoy the benefits of it in terms of jobs and revenue to the State in terms of taxation, PRSI, royalties and so on. I will comment further on royalties later. It is important we allow mining to happen while at the same time protect our environment, wildlife, wildlife habitats and so on. The aim of these amendments is to ensure we get that balance right.

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