Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on licensing arrangements granted to a company (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39235/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In February of this year, my Department granted an onshore Petroleum Licensing Option to Enegi Oil plc over a part of the Clare Basin for a term of two years. The Licensing Option is a preliminary authorisation and is designed to allow Enegi Oil assess the shale gas potential of the acreage largely based on studies of existing data from previous exploration activity.

The work programme for this licensing option is mainly office/desktop based and does not involve exploration drilling. The company is however required to collect samples from outcrops and from previous exploration activity for analysis. The work programme progress is monitored by my Department. Access on to lands would require the landowner's permission.

By the end of the licensing option period in February 2013, the company will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licence or relinquish the acreage. In the event the company decides to apply for an exploration licence, their application would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. That assessment would include a Public Consultation Phase, of four weeks or more, which would be advertised on my Department's website and in the local press. My Department would also seek and be guided by the expert advice of other relevant statutory authorities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Local Authorities. The outcome of the Environmental Impact Assessment would help to determine whether or not an exploration licence would be granted.