Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the basis on which he has granted prospecting licences to a company (details supplied) in a wide range of townlands across County Donegal; the reassurance he can provide to those local communities who will have a range of concerns including environmental, regarding the issuing of this licence [26047/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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No prospecting licences have yet been granted in this instance. A statutory notice of my intention to grant licences over a number of townlands in the Inishowen area was published on 30 April 2013, with a period of 21 days in which objections could be submitted. Five (5) objections were received by close of business on 21 May 2013. A further five (5) objections were received after the closing date. These will be considered before a decision on the licence is taken. The Deputy may be assured that in carrying out all survey activities within the licensed area, it is a strict condition that the licensee must conduct operations so as to avoid damage to the environment and the amenities of the area, to avoid or minimise disturbance of persons resident there and comply with all relevant statutory planning and environmental requirements.