Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of commercially viable oil gas or other discoveries arising from exploration on or off-shore in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16151/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if ongoing oil gas or other mineral exploration work has indicated commercially viable discoveries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16152/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.

There have been a number of discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in recent years, however none of these has been declared commercial to date. The only petroleum discovery that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field.

With regard to non-Petroleum minerals, while no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in recent years, there have been some encouraging results.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which supply from the Corrib Gas field is likely to meet domestic or industrial requirements on an annual basis for the future; when it is expected that supply will become available; the potential economic impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16153/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is estimated that the Corrib gas field will be capable of supplying up to 60% of Ireland's gas requirements for a period of at least five years at full production, declining thereafter.

Completion of the development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available.

In terms of the potential economic impact, there will be a substantial yield of corporation tax payable to the State at the rate of 25% over the lifetime of the project once production goes into profit.

It should also be noted that the Corrib Gas development is a critical driver of investment, job creation and economic growth. In the immediate vicinity of the development and in the region generally, it is estimated that some 120 to 140 direct jobs will be created during the onshore construction phase of the pipeline with an approximate additional 200 support jobs. There will also be 130 high quality permanent jobs ultimately created in Erris once the development comes into operation. Indirect employment opportunities such as building suppliers, general caterers and accommodation are not accounted for in this estimate.