I do not represent West Tyrone, but the environmental damage has the potential to move into Fermanagh. I was interested in Mr McElduff’s comments. During his contribution, I do not think that he once mentioned Eskragh or the position that he played for his GAA team in Tyrone. The Adjournment debate has certainly provided a new angle.

I want the Minister of the Environment to inform the House of the protection that his Department will give to the area in which the mining operations are taking place: the landscape, the environment and the community. I do not know the exact details, but I wonder whether planning permission has been granted for all excavations. People have told me that the mining operation seems more like a quarrying operation than a gold-mining operation. I assume that there is planning permission to excavate stone material, but I do not think that that is the basis of what it is meant to be doing.

I am also curious to know what mechanisms are in place to police the determinations of the planning permission and the licences that are granted. I come from a rural farming background, and I am aware that some people in that community who commit minor discrepancies, such as dumping or tipping a few loads of soil, face the full force of the departmental authorities. Sometimes, however, the bigger operations get away unscathed and do not feel the same rigours of the law or the authorities. That is my main concern. I am concerned about the spread of the proposals and what is happening here.

I am also curious to know how many licences have been granted for such work to be carried out throughout the Sperrins.

There is deep unhappiness among the local community there, and, indeed, among the wider community. A huge concern is that such activities will spread and escalate. People believe that the authorities are not listening to them and that Omagh Minerals Ltd appears to be able to do exactly as it pleases.