asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give details of his consultations with the IDA which resulted in an appeal against the decision of Cork County Council to grant planning permission for the construction of concrete oil rigs at Aghabeg, Castletownbere, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Concrete Oil Rigs.
80.
I do not consider it desirable to reveal details of any consultations I may have with the Industrial Development Authority on any subject, since these are internal discussions often dealing with confidential matters. I can say, however, that the lodgement of an objection by the authority in the case mentioned was made with my full knowledge and approval.
Is the Minister aware that unprecedented interference of this nature may have the effect that this firm will not succeed with their proposal for Castletownbere with the consequent loss of about 600 jobs in the Beara peninsula, a place where this employment is badly needed? May I further ask the Minister to state exactly where he considers that Cork County Council failed in their functions under the Planning and Development Act to consider the proper planning and development of the area, to which any planning authority is restricted when considering a planning application?
There are two parts to that question. I cannot accept that an action of the kind carried out by the Industrial Development Authority can accurately be described as unprecedented interference. They were doing their duty. We have a responsibility to maximise employment in the production of off-shore drilling rigs, but we simultaneously have a duty to see that it is done in a regular, organised and monitored way such as that we will not have damage to the environment or to other prospects. Again I am glad to have the opportunity to place on the records of the House, as has already been indicated by the IDA that the intention of the IDA is surveillance and regulation. It is certainly not their intention in any way to disadvantage or to damage valid employment opportunities. We have a continuous policy of encouragement and support for the creation of employment. If the Deputy doubts our good intention in this regard I would beg him to familiarise himself with what has happened with regard to the development of drilling rig sites in other countries, to see that it is necessary to reconcile all the environmental and general economic considerations with the desirability of a particular site. It needs regulation and surveillance and I expect to have general proposals to make about that matter in the very near future. The intention is a benevolent one. It is one of regulation, not one of damage.
Will the Minister not agree that it is quite clear the Government have no real policy for advance planning in order to cater for inshore facilities in the event of development of oil resources?
I profoundly disagree with that statement.
Is it not clear from the unprecedented manner in which this appeal was lodged that the Government have no policy with regard to advance planning to cater for a situation similar to what happened at Castletownbere?
The Deputy cannot have it both ways. If he is in favour of such advance planning he should be in favour of the IDA's action.
I am in favour of development. Would the Minister not agree that the dithering and delay on the part of the Government may have the effect of frightening off the firm involved who are prepared to inject a capital investment of approximately £20 million into an area that badly needs it, apart from this foreign investment which is badly needed in the country?
I think the endeavour to call what has happened "dithering and delay" and the attempt to make it a political football is the only possible danger to that investment.