Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of gas, oil or other mineral discoveries of a commercial nature in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21629/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in the reply to question number 232 on 23 April 2008, during 2007 two finds were made in the North Celtic Sea Basin off the south coast. Providence Resources Limited identified an oil accumulation at the Hook Head prospect in block 50/11 while Island Oil and Gas Limited encountered gas at the Schull prospect in block 57/2. In addition, Island Oil and Gas Limited successfully appraised its 2006 Old Head gas discovery in block 49/23.

In all three cases further studies are continuing in order to determine whether these accumulations can be progressed to commercial developments. So far during 2008 no additional finds have been made.

No new economic deposits of non-petroleum minerals have been discovered in recent years but there have been some encouraging results.

Exploration adjacent to the existing base metal mine at Navan, County Meath (Boliden Tara Mines Ltd), discovered additional resources with the potential to extend the life of that mine, while diamond drilling in north-east County Limerick by Minco and Xstrata Zinc, near Pallas Green, has encountered high grade intersections of zinc and lead. While these results are encouraging, it is too early to say whether an economic mineral deposit occurs in the area.