79. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has had any engagement regarding exploration interest near the Inishkea Islands in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53038/26]

80. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Inishkea Island's exploratory licence; the reason this licence was extended to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53039/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

Under the Government’s policy on Petroleum Exploration and Production, published in August 2022, companies holding existing authorisations may continue to apply to progress through the standard licensing lifecycle stages towards a natural conclusion, which may include expiry, relinquishment production or rejection.

There is currently no exploration interest near the Inishkea Islands in County Mayo. There is a Frontier Exploration Licence 4/19 which is located approximately 60 kilometres offshore from County Mayo adjacent to the Corrib Gas Field which contains a prospect named Inishkea West.

An extension to the first phase of Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL4/19) operated by Europa Oil and Gas (Inishkea) Limited was given to the end of January 2026 following an assessment of an application submitted by the company in 2024 for a 2-year extension to the first phase. An assessment was carried out in accordance with the regulatory framework, which showed that the applicant met the required technical and financial criteria, and the extension was granted to end January 2026.

On the 16 of October 2025 the licensee submitted an application for a further 2-year extension to the first Phase to carry out additional technical studies. A similar technical assessment and assessment of financial resources has been carried out in accordance with regulatory framework and a further extension to 31 January 2028 has been granted.

It should be noted that that while the first Phase of the licence has been extended there is no change to the overall duration of the licence.