Written answers

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Exploration Industry

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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491. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which his Department continues to have plans to utilise existing natural resources and invest for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30156/17]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In respect of mineral resources, successive Governments have pursued the policy of encouraging exploration for and development of national mineral resources in the public interest. This has mainly been undertaken by the private sector. As a global industry, the level of exploration activity in Ireland reflects worldwide market trends, in particular prevailing metal prices. Ireland is particularly dependent on the zinc market as this is the primary exploration target. Whilst the main exploration focus is on zinc and lead, there is interest also in gold and other base metals. My Department's strategy in this area aims to encourage further exploration, while maximising the value added to the economy.

In respect of indigenous oil and gas resources, four commercial gas discoveries and no commercial oil discoveries have been made since exploration began in the Irish offshore. The Irish Atlantic Margin remains substantively underexplored and its actual potential will not be known without a significant increase in the level of exploration. Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will involve progressively moving to lower emission fuels, e.g. moving initially from peat and coal to natural gas, and ultimately towards an even greater reliance on renewable energy. The 2015 White Paper on Energy recognises that oil and natural gas will remain significant elements of Ireland’s energy supply in the transition period. Taking this into account my Department's efforts in this area have focussed on deepening scientific and technical knowledge of Ireland’s oil and gas potential, in particular through data acquisition and supporting key research projects; ensuring that the regulatory regime is fit for purpose; and offering innovative and attractive licensing opportunities.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has statutory responsibility for the conservation, protection and management of Ireland’s inland fisheries resource, including sea angling. The angling sector is estimated to contribute €836 million to the Irish economy every year supporting 11,000 Irish jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities where fewer job opportunities are available. The National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of our angling resource. The NSAD aims to increase economic contribution of angling to €932 million per year and increase employment by over 1,800 jobs. IFI is already investigating the full array of potential funding sources. I announced approval for the first €500,000 of investment for 50 community-based projects nationwide in December last. I have also secured an additional €1.5 million for NSAD investment for 2017 and further tranches of project funding will be announced.

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