Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 586: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the investigations into the potential gas field in the Lough Allen Basin; and the degree to which these have been progressed. [31619/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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During the past year there has been renewed interest in targeting the natural gas resource potential of the onshore Northwest Carboniferous Basin, which had been identified in earlier exploration, but not deemed commercial at that time.

In March of this year, I announced a competition for Onshore Licensing Options over the Northwest Carboniferous Basin and also the Clare Basin. The acreage on offer covers an area of approximately 8,000 square kilometres over parts of Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon and Sligo in the North West Carboniferous Basin, and parts of counties Clare, Cork, Limerick and Kerry in the Clare Basin. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 11th June 2010.

The Department is currently examining the five applications received under the competition and I will announce the outcome in due course.