Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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403. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department spent on seismic surveys in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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During the period 1 January 2010 to date my Department has not incurred expenditure on the conducting of seismic surveys.

Active promotion and research are important elements of Ireland’s offshore hydrocarbon strategy. In that regard my Department is currently in the process of commissioning an extensive regional seismic acquisition programme over a number of Ireland's major Atlantic basins during the course of 2013.

The data from this survey will be used by the Department to promote further investment in the Irish offshore in future hydrocarbon exploration licensing rounds and will also provide an important input to research projects aimed at deepening understanding of the petroleum potential of the Irish offshore.