John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to introduce legislation to facilitate geothermal combined heat and power projects; and if so, the timescale for same. [43273/09]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the findings of the geothermal working group established by his Department in 2008; the timeframe for any proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43348/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the findings of the Geothermal Working Group; if the legislative requirements are necessary in order to facilitate the growth of the geothermal industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 72 and 91 together.

The report of the Geothermal Working Group is being finalised and it is intended to publish it, when complete, on the Department's website. I am strongly committed to the early provision of a legislative framework for the exploration for and development of geothermal energy. Accordingly, I have instructed my Department to prioritise the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill with a view to producing heads in early 2010, with detailed legislative drafting to follow by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It is important to stress that geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour in this jurisdiction and the Bill is likely to be substantial, dealing with a range of matters such as ownership of the resource, regulation and licensing of exploration and development, ancillary rights and protection of third party interests. In relation to combined heat and power facilities, it is my intention that the Bill will be drafted to accommodate a range of technical approaches to the exploitation of geothermal energy. While I am committed to expediting the preparation of this legislation, it is not possible at this juncture to identify a firm date for publication.