To ask the Minister for the Economy when the Hatch Regeneris research into the economic, societal and environmental impacts of future onshore petroleum exploration and production, including unconventional oil and gas in Northern Ireland, will be published.

The Hatch Regeneris report on the economic, environmental and social impacts of onshore petroleum exploration and production in Northern Ireland is very comprehensive and has been given conscientious consideration by officials to inform the development of future policy options for petroleum licensing for consideration by the Executive.

I hope to be in a position to present policy options to the Executive later in the year. Following this there will be a public consultation on the preferred option and the Hatch report will be published at this stage.