103 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects the review of Government licensing to be completed; when he will make a decision on the number of offshore exploration licences to provide oil companies with more blocks in the Porcupine basin; the geographic area covered; and the strategic environmental assessment he will carry out for the affected habitats. [5355/07]

138 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the recently announced licensing scheme for the Porcupine basin; if he will provide a detailed report to Dáil Éireann on which gas and oil exploration licences he proposes to issue in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5316/07]

174 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will publish the independent review by consultants (details supplied) on the licensing of Ireland’s natural resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5315/07]

190 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the results of a review commissioned by him on oil and gas exploration terms for multinational companies here; the results of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 138, 174 and 190 together.

The final report of the consultants engaged to assist my Department with its review of the licensing regime governing exploration for and production of oil and gas in Ireland, was recently received by my Department. When I have considered its findings and recommendations I will bring my proposals to Government for the future of the licensing regime.

As regards the Porcupine Basin Licensing Round, I announced in January that applications for the unlicensed part of the Basin will be invited in May of this year with a closing date for applications of end October. It is only at that stage that applications for specific blocks or part blocks can be assessed, leading to decisions on the award of licences in late 2007. I also announced that in advance of that round my Department is commissioning a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the Porcupine Basin. The process will be similar to that used last year for the SEA of the Slyne/Erris/Donegal Basins, with the SEA being undertaken by independent expert consultants whose work will be managed by a broadly based steering group. Both the steering group and the consultants will be appointed shortly. The findings of the SEA will inform the conditions attaching to licences awarded under the Porcupine Round.

Turning to the question of what exploration licences might be awarded in 2007 I would point out that the Celtic Sea is an open area for licensing. Accordingly, it is open to the industry to make applications for authorisations at any time. This area is treated differently because the Atlantic Margin is a frontier area with a more challenging environment and operating conditions. In response to applications received I have made two offers of authorisations recently for two new standard exploration licences in the Celtic Sea and a small number of other applications are currently under consideration. Any licence offered since the beginning of this year is being offered on the condition that the licence will be subject to any adjustment of the licensing terms that results from the current review.