Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the exploration, development and utilisation of natural gas finds in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the results of recent oil, gas or other mineral exploration, on or offshore, have indicated a commercial viability; his plans to develop the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13793/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the exploration, development and utilisation of natural gas finds in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the results of recent oil, gas or other mineral exploration, on or offshore have indicated a commercial viability; his plans to develop the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13888/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 67, 212 and 213 together.

The Government's policy is to encourage further exploration for hydrocarbons while maximising the value added to the Irish economy. With regard to oil and gas, this has been done in the past, and is and will continue to be done in the future, by offering licensing opportunities in frontier areas through licensing rounds. A licensing round for the north east Rockall area was held last year and two licences were awarded. A licensing round for the Slyne-Erris-Donegal area has just closed and it is hoped to issue licences for the area in early June. There is an open door policy in respect of non-frontier areas whereby companies may apply for authorisations in these areas at any time.

Contracts have been signed for the delivery of gas from the Corrib field into the national grid. Gas from the Seven Heads field has not reached planned levels of production. Utilisation of future commercial discoveries as yet unfound will be determined by negotiation between the developers and gas suppliers and large users. The Corrib Gas field is the only discovery that can be said at this stage to have a definite commercial viability. Seven Heads production has not reached planned levels of production. The Corrib Gas field is the only discovery that can be said at this stage to have commercial viability. Seven Heads production has not reached planned levels and further drilling is proposed later this year. A positive outcome of this drilling would be to increase existing production levels. The results of the Dooish discovery are still being assessed.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, I refer the Deputy to a parliamentary question the Minister answered on 21 February 2006. New exploration is continuously undertaken as part of my requirements on holders of prospecting licences, of which there are currently 262. Details of these licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which the Minister is obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ended 31 December 2005, which was recently laid before the Houses.

No new economic deposits of non-petroleum minerals have been discovered in recent years. However, there have been some encouraging results. Exploration adjacent to existing base metal mines at Navan, County Meath — Tara Mines Limited — and Galmoy, County Kilkenny — Arcon Mines Limited — has discovered additional resources which have the potential to extend the life of those mines. The Minister has recently granted new State mining licences to Arcon for extraction of part of these additional resources.