Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if measures will be brought forward to reform the licensing and exploration system for regulating the exploitation of natural resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/05]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the strategic environmental assessment reports for the offshore waters of Ireland, in particular the Corrib and Kinsale gas fields. [28365/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 302 together.

As part of the commitments in the programme for Government, I intend to bring forward proposals for a new Minerals Development Bill to consolidate and update legislation enacted between 1940 and 1999 regulating the non-petroleum minerals sector. Work is under way on this in my Department. I also intend bringing forward Bills to update the legislation governing petroleum exploration and development, namely the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 and the Continental Shelf Act 1968, and this work is also under way. The terms governing petroleum exploration and development are kept under constant review by my Department. These terms are designed to encourage exploration in the Irish offshore. I have no immediate plans to reform the terms at this time.