Written answers
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Exploration Licences Data
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
616. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has granted and activated exploration licences in each of the past ten years to date, with particular reference to oil, gas and other minerals; the number that have shown commercially viable results to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45370/15]
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The following table outlines the exploration licences issued by my Department over the past ten years. Details of all authorisations granted by my Department are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis and can also be found in the six monthly reports which I am obliged to lay before the Oireachtas under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999, and the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, respectively. The last such reports were in respect of the six month period ending 30 June 2015. These reports are also available on my Department’s website at .
Year | Petroleum Exploration Licences Issued | Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Issued |
---|---|---|
2006 | 4 | 84 |
2007 | 5 | 143 |
2008 | 5 | 91 |
2009 | 1 | 66 |
2010 | 0 | 93 |
2011 | 2 | 98 |
2012 | 0 | 102 |
2013 | 5 | 142 |
2014 | 6 | 71 |
2015 | 0 | 75 |
Total | 28 | 965 |
In a similar manner, while the number of active mineral prospecting licences (currently in excess of 560), indicates the positive prevailing state of mineral exploration in Ireland, no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered during this period. While there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits.
No comments