Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of oil, gas or other mineral exploration licences sought and issued in the past year; the number activated in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43996/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, five Petroleum Exploration Licences were issued. Four of these licences are Frontier Exploration Licences awarded under the 2007 Porcupine Licensing Round. The other licence is a Standard Exploration Licence over an area in the Celtic Sea. All these licences are active.

To date in 2008 there have been 117 applications for prospecting licences for non-petroleum minerals and 86 licences have been issued. All these licences are active.