Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the most current form of mineral exploration licenses have been applied for or activated to date; the way this compares with the position under previous licensing regimes; if any particularly noticeable issues have arisen in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I would refer the Deputy to the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, compiled under the relevant provisions of the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. The latest report sets out, inter alia, details of the minerals prospecting licences granted and current during the period to 30th June 2013 compared to the previous reporting period. The next such report for the six months period ending on 31st December 2013 will be presented to the Oireachtas in the near future. This information on all current licences, including maps of prospecting licence areas, is accessible on the Department’s website . The number of active minerals prospecting licences indicate the current buoyant state of mineral exploration in Ireland.