Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

International mining companies, including a subsidiary of the world's largest lithium producer, Ganfeng Lithium Corporation, are on the Taoiseach's doorstep in west Wicklow. They are prospecting for lithium and mapping for a mine at Moylisha Hill. Local people and campaigners I met are very worried about the impact this will have on the Wicklow Way, on biodiversity and on water quality. An aquifer that runs underneath Moylisha Hill supplies all local bore holes and rises at streams that feed into the Barrow and Slaney Rivers, and which go into local areas of conservation. The garden of Ireland cannot be allowed to become a sacrifice zone for mining companies. These same companies are responsible for huge environmental destruction in other countries, mostly in the global south, where they mine lithium.

4 o’clock

Will the Taoiseach intervene with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to have the licence that was granted to the company for lithium exploration withdrawn? Will he schedule a meeting with the Protect Moylisha Hill campaign group? I have to run to speak at another meeting but I will check the transcript for the reply. I thank the Taoiseach.

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