RE: Ireland26 Feb 2025 12:39
Mitigation A: Reopen the Irish Offshore for New Gas Exploration
7.6 Ireland does not currently allow, under primary legislation, for new exploration licences for
either gas or oil to be granted. However, existing licence holders are permitted to continue
to progress licences already granted. A significant number of consultation responses
supported a change in Government position on this matter to reopen Ireland’s offshore for
new gas exploration, with a number emphasising that this could be particularly valuable
near the Corrib gas field where the infrastructure to land gas already exists.
7.7 The discovery of new indigenous natural gas reserves delivered to Ireland would enhance the
security of our gas supplies. However, to issue new licences for exploration beyond existing
authorisations would require a change in primary legislation and a reversal of Government
policy. It would also require the roll-out of a large programme to encourage investment from
oil and gas companies. Noting that many large oil and gas companies left Ireland following
the decision to cease offering new licence areas (even though their existing licences were
unaffected), investment conditions for petroleum exploration in Ireland are such that they
would likely seek a significant level of reassurance on the policy before returning.