asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of current exploration licences in existence in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of licences being actively used; and if he will make a statement on the current position in regard to gas discovery in west Cavan.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Exploration Licences .
4.
: At present only one onshore petroleum exploration licence issued by my Department is in force. This licence extends over an area in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal as well as over an area of 252 square miles in County Cavan. In the course of work carried out under this licence, the Dowra well, which is on the Cavan-Leitrim border and in which gas had previously been discovered in non-commercial quantities, was re-entered and the gas-flow was improved. While the improvement was substantial, it did not establish the commercial viability of the find. A considerable amount of further work, including drilling, will be necessary before the extent of the reserves can be proven. There is provision under the terms of the licence for the drilling of exploration of two wells in 1983.
No petroleum exploration licences are in force in respect of any area of County Monaghan. There are 13 mineral prospecting licences over areas in counties Cavan and Monaghan currently valid and in active use. The holder of a minerals prospecting licence is required to carry out a satisfactory work programme, to submit periodic reports to me and to surrender the licence if he ceases to explore the area actively.
There are a further six minerals prospecting licences over areas in these counties, being processed towards issue.
: Since exploration resulted in the discovery of gas in west Cavan and over the Border in Fermanagh, would the Minister explore the possibility of getting EEC funding for a more extensive and thorough search for gas in that area?
: The Deputy will be aware that we issue licences in this regard. Further work is necessary to establish the extent of the reserves. Over the past two years extensive geological field mapping and the shooting of 400 kilometres of seismic has been carried out and this should add substantially to the information available.
: Since the Minister is aware that a non-quota fund has been available for some time for the Border areas but that the expenditure was confined to the tourist and craft industries, would the Minister explore with the EEC the possibility of the extension of funds, either quota or non-quota, for this purpose? Two drillings per annum are not sufficient.
: My Department would be very anxious to have the most comprehensive surveys carried out and I will have this matter raised in the Department.
: The Minister mentioned in the latter part of his reply that those who have licences for mineral exploration must report to his Department. Could he give me some idea of the up-to-date position in the counties mentioned?
: I have not available to me the information required by the Deputy but I am pleased to note that they are looking for gold, lead and zinc in the area. The Deputy might be lucky enough to have a gold strike in his constituency.
: We have lead and zinc in Navan but I should like the Minister——
: While I am very reluctant to stop the Deputy on this question, I must be impartial and move to the next question.
: I thank the Chair for his indulgence. Would it be possible for the Minister to supply me privately with up-to-date information about the reports on mineral exploration?
: I will be glad to do so.