Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding plans for exploration of oil in the Porcupine Basin; the companies interested in this exploration; if he is satisfied that a full public consultation will take place; the safeguards put in place to ensure accountability in the tendering process for oil exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I recently launched a new Licensing Round in the Porcupine Basin inviting applications for exploration licence from interested parties. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2007. The Licensing Round offers the industry an opportunity to obtain exploration licences to invest in exploration activity in the Porcupine Basin which has recognised hydrocarbon bearing potential. The Round is an open competitive process that will be managed by my Department in accordance with best practice in public procurement and in which I have every confidence. By definition, I have no information on which companies are likely to apply.

The acreage now on offer in the Porcupine Basin covers unlicensed blocks in an area of approximately 63,500 square kilometres, in which there are currently four licensed operators. The area has been classified as frontier acreage because of the challenging environment of Ireland's Atlantic Margin.

In advance of decisions on the award of licences, a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the region is being undertaken by independent expert environmental consultants. As part of this process, a six week public consultation phase was held. The public consultation phase was publicised through notices in national and local newspapers. Notification was also sent to over one hundred stakeholder interests. During the week commencing 17 September, public consultation workshops were held in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Bantry. All submissions received through the public consultation process are being considered by the independent consultants and will be addressed in the post consultation report on the SEA. Applicants under the Licensing Round are required to factor the findings of the SEA into their applications for licences.