asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the offshore activities in relation to gas and oil exploration in Irish controlled waters which are now in progress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gas and Oil Exploration.
20.
The only offshore exploration activity at present is seismic surveying being carried out on behalf of some of the companies to which I intend, as announced recently, to grant exclusive exploration licences.
During the 1975 drilling season, which has just ended, six new wells were drilled and a well which had been suspended in 1974 was re-entered. At the peak of the season, there were two drillships and a semi-submersible drilling rig operating in the designated areas off the south coast.