Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received any applications for an exploration licence to conduct hydraulic fracturing drilling here since he last addressed the matter; if so, if he will provide the relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2577/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have not to date received any applications for an exploration licence that would involve hydraulic fracturing.

In February of last year, my Department granted onshore Licensing Options to three companies over parts of the Lough Allen and Clare Basin respectively. The Licensing Options are preliminary authorisations and are different to exploration licences. The Options are for a two year period from 1 March 2011. During this period, the companies will evaluate the natural gas potential of the acreage largely based on studies of existing data. The companies will also undertake a preliminary environmental baseline/impact assessment and engage with the local authorities and other statutory agencies as required.

This work is largely office/desktop based and will not involve exploration drilling or hydraulic fracturing. In fact exploration drilling is specifically excluded under these authorisations.

By the end of the Option period in February 2013, the companies will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licences or relinquish their acreage.

In the event that a company decides to apply for an exploration licence that includes proposals for exploration drilling using hydraulic fracturing, the company would have to demonstrate that this work could be undertaken without causing harm to the environment. The application would have to be set out in detail and be supported by an environmental impact statement.

My Department would then undertake a full assessment of the application, including an environmental impact assessment with a public consultation phase. As part of that public consultation, my Department would consult with other relevant statutory authorities such as the EPA, NPWS and Local Authorities in making any decision.

Work under these Licensing Options is at an early stage and it is too soon to conclude whether or not these authorisations will proceed to the exploration licence stage.

My Department is currently assessing two further applications for onshore licensing options.