Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the checks and scrutiny processes his Department carried out when it considered and subsequently endorsed a company (details supplied) for prospecting licences in Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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All applicants for prospecting licences must provide an appropriate exploration programme for the minerals of interest, demonstrate their technical and financial capabilities and agree to licence terms which includes a condition of undertaking work with due regard for the environment. Specifically, my Department assesses:

- the basis of interest in the licence,

- the applicant’s planned work programme,

- estimates of expenditure,

- names, addresses, qualifications and experience of technical experts or advisers,

- insurance details,

- evidence of funds available, and;

- character, financial and technical references.

Additional information on the process of granting prospecting licences is available on my Department's website.