asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the future of mining operations in relation to that portion of the land at Navan, County Meath, which was the subject matter of the recent Supreme Court decision.
200.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Navan Mining Operations.
194.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce his reaction to the recent rejection by the Supreme Court of his appeal against the High Court decision on the mining order; and whether he now proposes to take steps to ensure that the valuable minerals privately held become the property of the people of Ireland.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 200 together.
I am having this matter examined and I do not propose to make any statement at this stage.
Could the Minister give me any good reason why he would not at this stage allay public anxiety by reassuring them that the company which was trading or dealing in Tara mining shares recently had no inside information—to use that term—regarding the arrangements, if any, the Government have with the existing company in relation to taxation?
I think the Deputy will understand the position in which I find myself placed personally. I know that the Minister's position is that he does not propose to make any statement at this stage. Therefore I do not feel entitled to make any addition to that at this point.
I appreciate that the Minister is handling a colleague's file but will he not agree that the vagueness of the answer given, or the actual refusal to give an answer, will heighten feelings and anxiety that may be unjustified regarding this whole business?
Certainly I will convey the Deputy's view on that point to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
A lot of conveying is all the Minister seems to be doing.
195.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, prior to the recent reported dealing in Tara mining shares by a foreign company, the company in question had any negotiations or consultation with him and/or the Tara mining company; and whether the foreign company had any knowledge of the Government's tax arrangements with the Tara mining company.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "No".
As to the second part of the question, the Government have made no special tax arrangements with the Tara mining company.