Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if licences for drilling at a mine (details supplied) have been suspended; if it is the case that new licences are not being issued from 29 December 2022; and if this will lead to job losses at the location. [62617/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I have not suspended any licences associated with the mine referred to in the Question, nor have I suspended the issuing of licences after the 29 December 2022. Prospecting Licence 4502 is due to expire on the 29 December 2022. It is a prospecting licence and is not linked to the operation of the State Mining licences and Leases under which the mine referred to operates.

The Company which holds the licence for the mine has applied for the renewal of the prospecting licence and it is currently under consideration by the Geoscience Regulation Office (GSRO) of my Department. As this regulatory process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.