Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of applications for oil and gas exploration licences made between 1999 and 2004; the number which were successful; and the number which were so-called frontier licences. [12641/04]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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During this period my Department received 40 applications for authorisations. Of these 40 applications two were for petroleum leases, two for lease undertakings, three for frontier exploration licences, 19 for licensing options and 14 for petroleum prospecting licences. Some 38 authorisations were awarded as a result. Two applications — one for a licensing option and one for a petroleum prospecting licence, were withdrawn.

My Department also received two applications for onshore exploration licences and one application for an onshore licensing option. Authorisations were awarded in these three cases. An application for an onshore petroleum prospecting licence has been received and is currently under consideration.