Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Mining Board has made a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in Co Galway; if not, when it will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45516/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Minerals Development Act 1979, vested in the Minister the exclusive right of working minerals in the State save for “excepted minerals”. The Mining Board is a Statutory Body established pursuant to Section 33 (1) of the Minerals Development Act 1940 and is independent in the exercise of its functions. Therefore, neither I as Minister nor my Department have any function in matters that come before it.

I understand that due to a family illness, one of the persons with an interest in this matter sought an adjournment of the process which was granted by the Board. In the intervening period the position of the Chairman and one ordinary member of the board have become vacant and the process of filling those vacancies is being progressed. I understand that once these appointments are complete, the Board will be in a position to finalise its consideration of the application.