To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for an update on future onshore petroleum licensing policy; and (ii) whether his Department intends to impose a total ban on all petroleum licensing for (a) exploration; and (b) exploitation.

In the previous mandate, I circulated a draft Executive paper to my Ministerial colleagues concerning future onshore petroleum licensing policy. My paper recommended that the Executive agree a preferred policy option of a moratorium on all forms of exploration and extraction of oil and gas, to be followed by the introduction of a legislative ban.

As this is considered to be a cross cutting and controversial policy area it will require the agreement of an Executive, following which, the preferred option will be subject to public consultation.