Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to modernise and consolidate all mineral development legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18288/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The programme for Government includes the commitment to "modernise and consolidate all mineral development legislation". The Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999 comprise five pieces of primary legislation and a number of regulations have been made thereunder. Consolidation is required to address problems and changes in policy and environment which have arisen since 1999. It will also serve to streamline the permitting process. Heads of a Bill were agreed by Cabinet in June 2006 and drafting by the Parliamentary Counsel is currently under way.