Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 May 2012
89 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which on-going oil, gas or other mineral exploration work continues to indicate commercially viable discoveries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22192/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraExploration under the 18 extant petroleum exploration licences is ongoing and while there have been four new discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in the past ten years none of these has been declared commercial to date. Three of the discoveries were in the North Celtic Sea and one in the Slyne Basin. Applications for lease undertakings in respect of two of the discoveries in the Celtic Sea are under consideration by the Department at present. With regard to non-petroleum minerals as of 30 April 2012, there are 586 mineral prospecting licences currently held by 45 companies.
While no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in the past ten years, there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare. However, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits or to estimate the economic benefits that might accrue. Details of all the petroleum exploration licences and other mineral prospecting licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2011. These reports are also available on the Department's website at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/.
