Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of oil, gas or other exploration licences issued on an annual basis from the year 2000 to date in 2012; the number of such licences activated; the numbers that have not so far been activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13121/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of oil, gas or other exploration licences issued in the past ten years which have subsequently demonstrated a viable or commercial value or such potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13122/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the locations on or offshore that have shown the greatest potential arising from geological surveys or drilling operations; the oil, gas or other mineral indications to date arising from such exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 149 together.

The numbers of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 2000 and 2012 are set out in the table.

Eighteen of the twenty-seven petroleum exploration licences granted during the period are still active.

Exploration under the petroleum licences is ongoing and while there have been four new discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in the past 12 years, none of these has been declared commercial to date. Three of the discoveries were in the North Celtic Sea Basin and one in the Slyne Basin. Applications for lease undertakings in respect of two of the discoveries in the Celtic Sea are under consideration by the Department at present.

With regard to non-Petroleum minerals, there are 603 mineral Prospecting Licences currently held by 45 companies. Once issued, all licences are active. There are 24 Prospecting Licence applications currently under consideration by the Department.

While no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in the past ten years, there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare. However, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits or to estimate the economic benefits that might accrue. Details of all Mineral Prospecting Licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. This report is also available on the Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.