Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding legislation for geothermal energy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 was 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 of the Bill. My aim is to have technical legal drafting completed in time to have a publication of a Bill later this year and I will be bringing proposals to Government for this purpose as quickly as possible.

As I have previously stated, geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour in this jurisdiction and so the Bill will 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 public consultation process and in a series of meetings and workshops to ensure that the legislative proposals have the benefit of their input.