Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will renew the Tara Mines licence; the terms of this licence; and if the new licence will develop a source of revenue for the Irish State. [13837/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Boliden Tara Mines Ltd currently operates under a number of State Mining Facilities (Leases and Licences) which currently extend to end February 2013. An additional facility for one area was granted in 2006 which will expire in 2021. Each facility contains a variety of terms and conditions, including financial terms, duration, proper working of minerals, closure provisions, etc. Details of all current State Mining Leases and Licences may be found in the Six Monthly Report, which I am required to lay before the Oireachtas under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. Under the terms of an agreement executed in 1989, future royalties under the original lease, together with the State's shareholding in the mine, were purchased by the Company.

This Department is at present in discussions with the Company on terms for a new facility for a major underground extension. It is my intention that the terms of any new facility will include payment of royalties to the State. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot go into details that might compromise such discussions at this time.