Written answers

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Proposed Legislation

7:00 pm

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his reasons for legislating for geothermal energy; the main issues this Bill will tackle; when he expects the Bill to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38349/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour which will create a legislative framework to facilitate the exploration for and development of geothermal energy resources. It will provide significant support to the geothermal energy sector with considerable security of tenure for potential investors. The Bill sets out an approach to the licensing of exploration for, and exploitation of, geothermal energy. It is modelled on the approach taken in respect of minerals exploration and development, but also deals with a range of ancillary issues such as entry onto land.

The general scheme of a Geothermal Energy Development Bill was published in July, 2010. It was also decided to publish the Regulatory Impact Assessment. Both these documents are available on my Department's website. I would expect that the Bill will be published in 2012.

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