Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the completion and publication of the report from the geothermal working group; his views on the need for legislation to clear the way for development and exploration of geothermal energy; his plans to incorporate same into the Minerals Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35516/09]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the findings of the geothermal working group established by him in 2008; the timeframe for proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35510/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 56 together.

The results of the Geothermal Working Group are being finalised and I intend to publish these, when complete, on my Department's website. However, I am strongly committed to the early provision of a legislative framework for the exploration and use of geothermal energy. I believe that the issues to be addressed are now known and having consulted the Attorney General, I have instructed my officials to begin work as a priority on the drafting of Heads of a Bill in relation to geothermal energy. I would expect to have draft Heads for my consideration by end January 2010. While there are broad similarities between geothermal energy and minerals in terms of development requirements, I intend at this juncture to keep the geothermal energy legislation separate from the proposed Minerals Development Bill.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his target for ocean energy technology; when the licence for the grid application was made; when the licence was granted; the number of applications received; the amount of the €26 million announced for ocean energy that will be spent in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35523/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Ocean energy technologies are still in the research and development phase globally. It is estimated that there are no more than 10 megawatts (MWs) of ocean energy test projects installed for testing internationally at this time. This reflects the early phase of development of the technology within international research programmes. The Government's target, following suitable technology development, is that 500 MWs of ocean energy would be delivered by a variety of projects to be developed by 2020.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has recently put in place a complementary process to the existing group processing approach to facilitate a variety of smaller scale renewable energy technologies gaining access to the grid. The procedure is outlined in CER decision paper 09/099. Under this new procedure a number of technologies including ocean and wave technologies that fulfil public interest criteria can obtain a grid connection to a maximum of 5 MW outside the existing gate process. This should ensure speedier access to the grid for the development phase of ocean energy projects.

In order to facilitate and progress ocean energy in Ireland, the dedicated Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) within Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), in partnership with the Marine Institute and ESBI, has undertaken a detailed assessment process since 2007 to identify the most suitable wave energy test site with a grid connection to the electricity network. Following this process, the SEI is now developing a grid connected site off Annagh Point, County Mayo. This facility will provide for the testing of operational pre-commercial wave energy devices directly connected to the electricity network. A foreshore exploratory licence has recently been obtained to allow for site investigation work, which is currently under way.

I am working closely with my colleagues the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that both the short term and medium term offshore energy licensing and planning issues are satisfactorily addressed and that a best practice offshore renewable energy planning regime is put in place to underpin sustainable development of the resource. It is expected that approximately €6 million will be spent under the ocean energy programme this year. This is made up of grant aid under the Prototype Development Fund of €4.3millon which this year will assist 10 Irish companies developing ocean and tidal energy devices; the Annagh Head test site and maintenance and improvements to the existing (non grid connected) Galway Bay test site; the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) and the strategic environmental assessment of Irish waters for ocean energy offshore wind development, which is under way.