Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation to facilitate geothermal combined heat and power projects; and if so the time scale for same. [10171/10]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding geothermal energy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10110/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 86 together.

I have stated on a number of occasions commitment to the early provision of a legislative framework for the exploration for and development of geothermal energy. Accordingly, in the course of 2009, drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill with a view to producing Heads in early 2010 has been prioritised in the Department, with detailed legislative drafting to follow by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Considerable progress has been made in this regard and I am currently considering an initial proposal for Heads, which I would hope to bring to Government in the near future, seeking approval to send these forward for drafting a Bill on Geothermal Energy for publication later this year.

I have pointed out on a number of occasions that geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour in this jurisdiction and the Bill will be expected 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. I would add that I have engaged closely with industry and interested parties in a series of meetings and workshops to ensure legislative proposals have the benefit of their input.