Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which positive results have been indicated in the course of on- or offshore exploration on foot of the various licences issued in recent years; if further positive indicators have emerged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37646/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There were twenty-six petroleum exploration licences granted since 2001, of these sixteen are still active. Oil and gas discoveries have been made in respect of four of these licences to date. Three of the discoveries were in the North Celtic Sea Basin and one in the Slyne Basin.

None of the discoveries has been declared commercial to date. Applications for lease undertakings in respect of two of the discoveries in the Celtic Sea are under consideration by my Department at present.