John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the impact that any drilling or seismic surveying might have on the livelihoods of local fishermen in Dublin Bay; if he will request a full environmental impact assessment and public inquiry into the plans of a company (details supplied) to explore just 6kms off the Dublin coast, before the company start their exploration. [48410/12]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that there will be no adverse affects on fisheries in Dublin Bay and the surrounding area in view of the licence given to a company (details supplied) to explore for oil in the area. [48406/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.

Firstly, I should clarify that no petroleum exploration activity has been licensed in Dublin Bay. The exploration licence held by Providence Resources and their partners PSE Seven Heads Limited is over an area of the Kish Bank Basin off the Dublin/Wicklow coast.

The licence is for a six year period and includes an obligation to drill an exploration well by August 2014, however at this stage my Department has not received an application from the licensees to conduct a site survey or drill on the licence.

In relation to the impact of the proposed site survey and exploration well on fisheries, my Department undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SAE) of the Celtic and Irish Seas during 2010/2011. The SEA, which included a public consultation phase, concluded that the impact of anticipated oil and gas drilling activity on fisheries is considered to be minor.

In relation to environmental impact assessment, I am satisfied that the current exploration licensing process is compliant with the requirements of both European and domestic law. In the event that the proposed drilling resulted in a commercial discovery being made then the licensees would require a number of statutory approvals for an extraction project, including a petroleum lease and a plan of development consent from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Other relevant statutory consents could include a planning and development consent from An Bord Pleanála, a safety case approval from the Commission for Energy Regulation, an IPPC Licence from the EPA and a Foreshore Licence from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

All of these consent processes would include an environmental impact assessment including a public consultation phase.