Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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1323. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the process by which his Department considers if an environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment is required for offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation; if impacts in terms of carbon emissions are considered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1820/18]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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1325. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the processes in place to independently monitor the environmental and climate impacts of the offshore oil and gas industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1323 and 1325 together.

Successful exploration in Ireland’s offshore has the potential to deliver benefits to Irish society and the economy, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply and reduced fossil fuel imports. However, any such exploration must be conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner.

In advance of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licencing Round, Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 Environmental Report was undertaken and included consideration of potential greenhouse gas emissions projected to arise specifically as a result of exploration activities.

Separately, any individual exploration activity proposed to be carried out under a petroleum authorisation (e.g. seismic survey or drilling) is subject to assessment of compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

In respect of oil and gas production, activities arising from a commercial find are subject to assessment of compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

By way of example, approval for a seismic survey in the Porcupine Seabight off the South West coast was granted to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA on 5 July 2017. This survey overlapped the Hovland Mound Province and was within 19 Km of the Belgica Mound Province SAC. Prior to granting approval, the application to survey from TGS was considered against a range of technical and environmental considerations. In respect of environmental requirements, the company was required to submit an Environmental Risk Assessment and a Natura Impact Screening (Appropriate Assessment) Statement in support of its application to commence surveying activities, and these were considered in the context of the likely effects on the environment of the proposed survey.

A review was undertaken for my Department by Bec Consultants, an independent consultancy appointed for their expertise in ecological and conservation marine biology to inter alia

- examine the submitted Environmental Statement and assess whether or not it met the scope and quality of requirements set out or implied by the specific European and Irish Environmental Impact Assessment legislation and guidelines;

- appraise the Environmental Statement, highlighting any deficiencies in respect of the statutory requirements of the Statement and detailing the outcome and resolution of any such deficiencies; and

- ensure that the requirements of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011, for an assessment to be carried out on any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a protected site or species were met by the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report.

In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service was requested to provide its observations in terms of Natura 2000 sites, where relevant, and Annex IV species (Cetaceans) in accordance with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

It was a condition of the survey that daily Marine Mammal Observer reports be submitted to my Department for review.

The documentation associated with this environmental assessment is available on my Department’s website.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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1326. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if companies engaging in offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation are required to guarantee supply to the State or sell resources at a reduced rate to the State or Irish companies. [1823/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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There is no specific requirement on exploration companies to sell oil or gas discovered in the Irish offshore into the Irish market or to sell oil or gas at a reduced rate to the State or Irish companies. This is consistent with international practice. A combination of practical factors and market forces would dictate that where a local demand exists, a discovery will be landed and sold locally to ensure maximum recovery from the field and to reduce the cost of transportation. This has been the practice to date, with all commercial finds (Kinsale Head, Ballycotton, Seven Heads and Corrib) having been delivered into the Irish market. In all cases, the State’s fiscal regime applies to the production of gas in the Irish offshore.