Written Answers - Legislative Programme Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 711 No. 1 Page of 388

  451.  Deputy Darragh O’Brien      asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources      if he will provide an update on the progress of the geothermal Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan):    Considerable progress has been made in the preparation of a draft legislative scheme to permit exploration for and exploitation of geothermal energy and I have been considering an initial proposal for Heads of the Bill. My aim is to have technical legal drafting completed in time to have a publication of a Bill later this year and I will be bringing proposals to Government for this purpose within the next four to six weeks.

Geothermal energy can be a potentially important source of indigenous energy in specific areas, but it is also a new area of legislative endeavour in this jurisdiction and so the Bill will be substantial, dealing with a range of matters such as ownership of the resource, regulation and licensing of exploration and development, ancillary rights and protection of third party interests. I would add that I have engaged closely with industry and interested parties in a [298]public consultation process and in a series of meetings and workshops to ensure that the legislative proposals have the benefit of their input.

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