Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is in any negotiations with regard to the exploration or drilling of oil off the south east coast; if any agreements or contracts have been made with oil-drilling companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7857/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Seven standard exploration licences and five licensing options are active off the east and south coasts of Ireland. Exploration activities under these authorisations are ongoing and subject to the performance of agreed work programmes including detailed reporting and the release of exploration data and evaluation reports to my Department. In relation to exploration drilling, my Department is aware that plans are being advanced for exploration and appraisal drilling in the Irish offshore, although no application for drilling approval has been received to date this year. I expect that over the next few months greater certainty will emerge in relation to potential drilling in 2011.