Pringle welcomes Great Glen Resources’ withdrawal for prospecting licence
- Updated: 10th June 2019
Pringle welcomes Great Glen Resources’ withdrawal for prospecting licence
Thomas Pringle TD – June 10th, 2019
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Independent TD for Donegal Thomas Pringle has today welcomed the news that Great Glen Resources has withdrawn their application for an exploratory prospecting licence in Co. Donegal. Deputy Pringle who was in touch with the Department for Communications says he has been given confirmation that the application has indeed been withdrawn.
Speaking on the news Deputy Pringle says “this is a vindication for the local communities who came out in strength against the issuing of a prospecting licence which would see 52 townlands negatively impacted by its activities. The future mining for Barytes, Base Metals, Gold (ores of) and Silver (ores of) would have a very negative impact not just on the environment but on the landscape as well as on the health of the local people.
“Last week I attended the public meeting which saw masses of people from across Donegal objecting to the issuing of a prospecting licence to Great Glen Resources. They have seen for themselves the problems exploratory licences have caused for the community in Greencastle in Co. Tyrone by the Dalradian company gold mine and did not want to see that repeated here.
“The meeting was also a public call for the Government to protect our future by withdrawing its intention to grant a prospecting licence now and into the future. In response I stated I would be calling on the Government to make that commitment in the Dáil this week.
“The government must protect the people and their livelihoods. Tourism in the area has to be protected and supported by those in authority. Future tourism, farming and local indigenous industry must be protected but this can only be done when the encroachment by outside venture capital and finance is stopped as they only serves themselves at the cost of local communities.
“I will be looking into whether current legislation is effective or needs to be amended in order to protect communities and the environment from the untold damage exploratory and extractive industries can cause” concludes Pringle.
ENDS
