Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals for a licensing regime in respect of oil, gas or other mineral exploration, on or off-shore; if he will make an announcement in this regard in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11447/07]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will bring forward legislation to amend the regulatory framework for the proposed new licensing terms for the exploration and production of Ireland's natural resources; the way he proposes to amend the licensing terms; if he will publish the review by consultants (details supplied) on the licensing terms of Ireland's natural resources; the timeframe for the publication of the updated rules and procedures manuals for both exploration and production activities as promised in the Energy White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11341/07]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Indecon report in relation to the Corrib gas project is concluded and ready for release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11408/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 139 and 166 together.

I am considering the report of the consultants who were engaged to assist with the review of the licensing regime. I will bring my proposals for the future of the licensing regime to Government in the near future and I will then take appropriate steps to give effect to the decisions taken. It is my intention that the consultants' report would then be placed in the public domain.

I am also committed to updating the rules and procedures manuals for exploration and production. It is my intention that these manuals will be updated and published by the middle of the year.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, exploration and development is undertaken by private enterprise and regulated under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. While it is my intention to consolidate and update the Minerals Development Acts in a new Minerals Development Bill, currently being drafted, I do not propose any change of policy.