Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2012
152. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to publish legislation to regulate geothermal energy here, the Geothermal Energy Development Bill; and if any other legislation in the area of geothermal power generation is planned. [42385/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative proposals in respect of geothermal energy, and the associated Regulatory Impact Assessment, have been published and are available on the Department’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie. Geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour, which will create a legislative framework to facilitate the exploration for and development of geothermal energy resources. It will provide significant support to the geothermal energy sector, particularly in terms of security of tenure for potential investors. The Bill sets out an approach to the licensing of exploration for, and exploitation of, geothermal energy. It is modelled on the approach taken in respect of minerals exploration and development but also deals with a range of ancillary issues such as entry onto land.
Drafting of the Bill with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is ongoing. Many of the provisions of the Bill are based on aspects of the Minerals Development Bill, particularly in relation to exploration licensing, which I aim to bring to the House before the end of this parliamentary session. I would expect therefore that the Geothermal Energy Development Bill will follow to be published next year.
