Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Offshore Exploration

9:00 am

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has held discussions with the energy and exploration departments of experienced oil and gas provinces like Norway, Denmark, Newfoundland or the UK in relation to the development of exploration expertise in the public service and the licensing and management of national fossil fuel exploration and recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/06]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has formal contacts with the Oil and Gas Ministries of a number of other north-western European countries through annual meetings. The other countries involved include Norway, Denmark, the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. These contacts between senior officials are aimed at sharing information on the effectiveness of promotional strategies, licensing terms and the overall status of exploration and development activities. My Department's officials also communicate with the provincial Governments of Canada's Atlantic provinces and are particularly active in developing collaborative transatlantic petroleum research programmes.

Although countries clearly compete for investment in the exploration sector, our experience is that exchanges at an official level are surprisingly constructive and mutually beneficial. International support for research is also proving vital for exploiting oil and gas resources, and Ireland is working to strengthen co-operation in this area.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently undertaking a review of the licensing regime under which petroleum exploration companies operate in this country. The work being undertaken includes peer analysis that included the oil provinces mentioned by the Deputy.

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