Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with oil, gas or other exploration companies with a view to identification of a new licensing regime that would meet all requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38753/06]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will ensure in the context of a future review of oil, gas or other mineral exploration licences that such regime is pitched in such a way as to encourage exploration and at the same time be seen to give a fair, adequate and transparent return to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38766/06]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options in respect of his anticipated review of the exploration licensing regime in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38765/06]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had within his Department or with the exploration sector within the context of the review he has suggested of the exploration licensing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38767/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 123, 138 and 143 together.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the licensing regime under which offshore exploration companies operate in this country. Indecon International Economic Consultants Indecon has been engaged to assist my Department in this regard and is due to report to my Department by the end of this month. I have had discussions with officials of my Department about the analysis which was referred to Indecon and about the terms of reference for the assignment.

I have not had meetings with representatives of the exploration sector to discuss this review, though I understand that Indecon, as part of its work, has consulted with industry representatives.

It is my objective to ensure that the licensing regime in place maximises the return to the national economy while, at the same time, encouraging exploration for petroleum. This regime must be sufficiently progressive to accommodate both future variations in oil and gas prices and the high cost of deep-water field development. Non-fiscal aspects of the terms, such as the types of licences and their duration, are also being reviewed to ensure that they are conducive to an effective and timely approach to exploration.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, it is Government policy to stimulate discovery of economic mineral deposits and to maximise the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy, with due regard to its social and environmental impact. Exploration and development is undertaken by private enterprise and regulated under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. All extraction of minerals under the Acts is subject to payment of royalties to the State. While it is my intention to consolidate and update the Minerals Development Acts in a new Minerals Development Bill currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, I do not propose to change that policy.