We the members of the Manorhamilton Municipal District propose that Leitrim County Council strongly condemn the Minister of Environment Eamon Ryan’s decision to grant a prospecting licence to Flintbridge Resources over PL Areas 1469 and 3162 in the North of the County. We also wish to inform Minister Ryan that there will never be a social licence/consent for gold mining in this area.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Mary Bohan, Councillor Frank Dolan, Cllr Padraig Fallon, Cllr Felim Gurn, Cllr Sean McDermott and Councillor Justin Warnock
"We the members of the Manorhamilton Municipal District propose that Leitrim County Council strongly condemn the Minister of Environment Eamon Ryan’s decision to grant a prospecting licence to Flintbridge Resources over PL Areas 1469 and 3162 in the North of the County. We also wish to inform Minister Ryan that there will never be a social licence/consent for gold mining in this area.
Councillor Frank Dolan outlined that all the Members of the Manorhamilton Municipal District agreed to put this motion forward to the full Council as a means to support the local community on this issue. Councillor Dolan said the granting of the prospecting license will have a negative impact on people living in the area, tourism and the environment.
Councillor Mary Bohan expressed her shock that Minister Ryan would grant this licence. Councillor Bohan said the members want to make it clear there will never be a social licence/consent for gold mining in this area. Councillor Bohan said Leitrim Tourism and tourism providers have worked to promote the area and this is the last thing they want.
Councillor Bohan proposed that Leitrim County Council write to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Oireachtas members of this constituency on this matter.
Councillor Justin Warnock supported the motion and said it unbelievable that Minister Ryan who was opposed to mining has now granted a prospecting licence. Councillor Warnock referred to forestry and wind farms on forestry plantations in the county and he queried if elected members have any say on these matters.
Councillor Padraig Fallon said this issue is also before Sligo County Council at their monthly meeting and it has been raised with Oireachtas Members. Councillor Fallon highlighted that this will have a negative impact on our county, particularly North Leitrim. Councillor Padraig Fallon said there is a sequence of events in gold mining, and this is step one. He said assurances need to be sought that semi state and state owned bodies will not allow access to these lands.
Councillor Felim Gurn said all the elected representatives in North Leitrim represent their communities who do not want to destroy the landscape.
Councillor Sean McDermott said 47 townlands are devasted by this news. 2,500 people made submissions on this prospecting licence, which may lead to another.
Councillor Sean McDermott outlined the difficulties in obtaining planning for rural housing in contrast to the ease of application for this licence. Councillor McDermott said people in the area want to focus on tourism and not issues such as this. He said gold mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world and he stressed that the environment must be protected going forward.
Councillor Enda McGloin said he wrote to Minister Ryan on this issue. He confirmed that this prospecting licence is not a new occurrence, it goes back to the 1970’s as previous prospecting attempts were made, and no mining licence applications have been made. Councillor Enda McGloin said the reply from the Minister stated that no intrusion should be undertaken unless the consent of the landowner/tenant is given. Councillor McGloin outlined he is concerned about the granting of this licence.
Councillor Bohan said a prospecting licence is to see what is there and she said there is no reason why Minister Ryan had to grant this. She highlighted the strong opposition to it.
Councillor Enda Stenson outlined that the members in South Leitrim fully support the motion.
Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion and said he has spoken and written against this in the past.
On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Frank Dolan
SECONDED by Cllr Mary Bohan
It was AGREED that Leitrim County Council strongly condemn the Minister of Environment Eamon Ryan’s decision to grant a prospecting licence to Flintbridge Resources over PL Areas 1469 and 3162 in the North of the County. We also wish to inform Minister Ryan that there will never be a social licence/consent for gold mining in this area.