Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We oppose this section. The Minister of State mentioned that the right to mine minerals resides with the Minister and with the State therefore, and he or she acts on behalf of the State. We oppose the sale of any State asset. Minerals, just like other State-owned property or goods, are an asset to the State and their development should be used for the benefit of the people of the State so that we do not see a situation whereby the State should hand over its ownership rights to mineral assets. There has been for too long a history of privatisation in this country and handing over of State assets, and we do not wish to see that extended to mineral assets no matter how small. We do not see why there is any need to have this measure as part of the legislation. No matter how small the deposits in question are, it would be better for them to reside with the Minister and that a licence to mine would be required. That is the reason we oppose the section.