Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications received under the recent oil and gas exploration round; the terms offered to the bidders in the request for applications; when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15944/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round closed on the 31st of May and fifteen applications for Licensing Options were received. This is the largest number of applications ever received in a single licensing round in Ireland.

My Department has commenced its assessment of the applications received and has invited all fifteen applicants for interview.

It is anticipated that the evaluation process will conclude by the end of July, following which offers of Licensing Options will be made.

The number of applications received under the licensing round is encouraging. I understand that the applications received include applications from companies not currently active in the Irish offshore and this is a further positive feature of the outcome of the round.

In relation to the specific terms of the licensing round, the authorisations on offer are two year Licensing Options and will be subject to agreed work programmes. The work programmes will include procurement of all available and relevant technical data, along with new data acquisition projects as considered necessary.

I am confident that the 2011 Licensing Round will help bring much needed new momentum to the level of exploration activity offshore Ireland.