Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the procedures for reporting new oil and gas discoveries here; if his Department has received confirmation of new gas discoveries in the Lough Allen basin in the North West; and the potential reserves that might be involved and the returns which would accrue to the State as a result of such a find. [6741/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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A new discovery resulting from petroleum exploration is reported to the petroleum affairs division, PAD, of my Department. The PAD holds regular meetings with the operators of all exploration authorisations to monitor the progress of the work programmes attached to each authorisation.

What the Deputy refers to in his question as new gas discoveries in the Lough Allen Basin is an article in a business magazine reporting an estimate of the resource potential which was carried out for the operator. This is a stage in the exploration process and may form the basis or justification for further exploration. Unfortunately, this estimate does not constitute a discovery.

My Department has not yet had sight of the reserves estimate and the work supporting it and I am not, therefore, in a position to comment on the estimate. The main benefits to the State of such a discovery would be an indigenous energy reserve and consequent security of supply for our future energy needs. This would mean a reduced dependence on gas imports at a time when our main supplier to date, the UK, is becoming a net importer as its reserves become depleted.