Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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457. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times representatives of his Department have met mining companies in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39362/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Officials from my Department regularly meet Prospecting Licence holders and Mining Licence / Lease holders as part of ongoing Departmental monitoring to ensure compliance with the conditions of Licences. My officials also met with companies that are interested in exploring for minerals in Ireland and provide information on the regulatory regime and requirements for prospecting in Ireland. In addition my officials attend sectoral seminars, conferences and public outreach events such as National Ploughing Event and Geoscience Ireland business cluster with Enterprise Ireland which includes a wide range of companies including exploration and mining companies.