Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is the policy of the Department not to issue any prospecting licences in national parks, as published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In certain exceptional circumstances, the National Parks and Wildlife Service may agree to the issuing of a prospecting licence for an area that contains part of a national park and that will enhance the knowledge and be of interest to the national park. Exploration activity in close proximity to a special area of conservation or special protection area requires prior permission from the Department. This involves submitting a screening for appropriate assessment report specific to the proposed activities. A stage 1 screening for appropriate assessment will then be carried out, specific to the exact location and conservation objectives of the SAC and SPA. Any proposed drilling or trenching, regardless of its location within the prospective licence area, requires screening for appropriate assessment by the competent authority, the exploration and mining division of the Department.

Drilling submissions are also required to be assessed to determine whether screening under the EIA directive is necessary. There is a good suite of hurdles to be jumped before a prospecting licence is granted.

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