asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of applications for licences received in his Department for permission to drill for natural gas and oil off the south coast; and if he will name the applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drilling Licences.
162.
Thirteen applications have been received for permission to drill wells off the south coast. The applicant in all these cases was Marathon Petroleum Company (Ireland) Ltd.
May I ask the Minister if any recent applications have been received other than from Marathon?
I understand that Marathon are the only company holding exclusive exploration rights in Ireland's area of the Continental Shelf. In April, 1972, the Minister approved of an agreement made by Marathon with Esso Exploration Inc. under which Esso or an affiliate can earn a 50 per cent interest in about 6,000 square miles of the area shelf held by Marathon.
Do the Marathon licences cover the entire area?
They hold such rights in four areas: one large area off the south coast, two small areas off the west coast and one small area off the east coast, as well as about half the land area of the country.
I understood the Minister to say that the only licences issued in this area are to Marathon. Could the Minister say if applications for licences were made by other persons for this area?
I said that Marathon are the only people holding exclusive licences, but non-exclusive licences were issued to a number of applicants.
I think the question does not specify exclusive or non-exclusive licences.
Sixty one non-exclusive licences have been issued.
I thank Deputy Colley for helping me to elicit that information. Could the Minister explain the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive licences for the purpose of the reply to this Question, and if a list of the 61 applicants will be made available?
I think that is a separate question, and if the Deputy puts it down I am sure the Minister will deal with it.
Mr. G. FitzGerald
On a point of order, the question does not specify whether the applications for licences are exclusive or non-exclusive. In those circumstances it cannot possibly be a separate question.
I want to facilitate the Deputy but the question does ask for the number of applications for licences to drill for natural gas and oil off the south coast. I gave the answer to that—13 applications. The subsequent questions developed the area of inquiry very considerably beyond the written question.
The Minister may have misunderstood the position. As I see it, the question asks for the number of applications for licences——
To drill for natural gas and oil off the south coast.
Yes, and the Minister gave a reply which related solely to exclusive licences.
No. The reply I gave was that there were 13 applications. I was asked for the number of applications for licences received in the Department for permission to drill for natural gas and oil off the south coast. I gave the answer to that, which is 13. I was asked for the number. I was also asked to name the applicants. The applicant in all those cases was Marathon Petroleum Company (Ireland) Ltd.
I am afraid there is some confusion here because as I understood the Minister's reply what he said was that there were 13 applications granted to Marathon in respect of exclusive licences.
No. May I correct that? I think it is quite important. What I have said was 13 applications. I was asked for the number of applications for licences received in the Department for permission to drill for natural gas and oil off the south coast. The answer I gave, and I want to repeat it and I want there to be no doubt about it, was that 13 applications have been received for permission to drill wells off the south coast. The applicant in all those cases was Marathon Petroleum Company (Ireland) Ltd. I got a precise and limited inquiry and I gave the answer to it.
If that is correct, what was the Minister referring to when he referred to 60-odd applications for non-exclusive licences?
This was referring to the remainder of the Continental Shelf.
I am sorry, I thought the Minister was referring to this area because my supplementary specifically said for this area.
I am sorry then. I misunderstood the Deputy.
I take it any of those 61 does not apply to the area off the south coast?