Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals in regard to royalties likely to emanate from further, future or existing oil or gas finds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2201/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Under the existing licensing terms, which were introduced in 1992, no royalties or production levies are payable. The rationale for these attractive terms is the comparatively low level of commercial finds and the challenging environment and deep waters of the Atlantic margin. These terms, and their rationale, have been accepted and implemented without change by every Government since 1992. I should point out that royalties are payable on gas from the Kinsale Head gas field since the discovery of the field in 1971 and the start of production in 1978 pre-date the 1992 terms.

I have no proposals at present to change the existing regime for royalties.