Offshore Exploration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 April 2012

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Ceisteanna (136, 137)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

136 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if drilling in Dublin Bay will be done through the use of seismic detection for viable concentrations of liquid and gas pockets in the bedrock; if his attention has been drawn to the effects that seismic detection will have on the health and well-being of dolphin pods that frequent the Dublin Bay area and other sea animal populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20959/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Fergus O’Dowd)

Seismic surveys are a normal part of petroleum exploration activities and are subject to approval from my Department. Applications to conduct seismic surveys must include a risk assessment of the proposed activity in relation to the sensitivities of marine mammals in the area and outline specific impact mitigation and monitoring practices that will be applied. Companies undertaking seismic surveys in Irish waters must comply with the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Code of Practice for the Protection of Marine Mammals during Acoustic Seafloor Surveys in Irish Waters (http://www.npws.ie/media/npws/publications/marine/media,5176,en.pdf), together with my Department’s Rules and Procedures for Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Appraisal Operations.

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

137 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission an inquiry into the licences awarded for offshore oil and gas exploration under the tender of then Minister Ray Burke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20997/12]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte)

As I informed the House on the 18 April last in response to Question No. 736, I do not intend to commission an inquiry into licences awarded for offshore oil and gas exploration by the former Minister mentioned. None of the petroleum exploration authorisations awarded during the period in question led to a discovery of oil or gas and all of these exploration authorisations have long since expired.