A three year moratorium on lignite prospecting licences has been extended by Economy Minister Nigel Dodds to the whole of Northern Ireland.

The moratorium in October 2004 suspended any further prospecting licences for lignite only in the Ballymoney area.

Speaking on Thursday, the Minister said: "I have extended the three year moratorium on lignite prospecting licenses to include all of Northern Ireland.

"Northern Ireland needs energy supplies that are environmentally sustainable and reliable. It is important to also ensure security, diversity and continuity of supply. The primary policy focus for Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union, driven by climate change targets, is on increasing the use of renewables for electricity generation.

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"The development of the Single Electricity Market, together with a focus on renewables and gas for electricity generation will help meet our energy targets, with the expectation of leading to a reduction in the need for exploitation of other alternative fossil fuel sources such as lignite."

No applications for Mineral Prospecting Licences for lignite have been received during the current three year moratorium.

The Department's Strategic Energy Framework acknowledges Northern Ireland’s lignite reserves. The Framework contains policy on prospecting and extraction licensing and indicates that any application under Article 39 of the Electricity (NI) Order 1992 to use lignite for power generation would only be considered against published criteria.

(GK/JM)