Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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267. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of an application for a prospecting licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19938/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Following a detailed review of all valid objections received by the Geoscience Regulation Office (GSRO) in my Department, a decision has been taken to grant the two Prospecting Licences (PLs) for base metals, gold and silver.   All those who made a submission in respect of the Minister’s original notice of intention to grant the Prospecting Licences in question and were notified of the decision on 19 April 2022. In addition, a copy of the document setting out the GSRO review of submissions received in relation to consultation on the relevant PL areas has been made available to all who made submissions.

It is important to note that a Prospecting Licence relates only to the activity of exploring for minerals and does not give the licence holder permission to mine minerals.