asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if it is proposed that the Irish National Petroleum Corporation be given statutory establishment, if so, if it is envisaged extending functions for the corporation and when it is proposed to introduce the Bill for such legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Petroleum Corporation.
4.
Proposals for legislation to establish a statutory corporation are in preparation and I expect to be in a position to introduce a Bill in the House in due course.
Perhaps it is unfair to ask this question so prematurely but is it envisaged that the legislation will give the National Petroleum Corporation extended functions in addition to those that will exist by reason of the articles or memorandum of association?
It is hoped to have the legislation before the House at the beginning of the new year. The Deputy will be in a position then to judge the Bill's provisions.
5.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the names of the directors of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation who have had substantial experience in the business of oil production, refinement, marketing or distribution.
6.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the Irish National Petroleum Corporation have in their employment, or in a paid consultancy, any persons experienced in the production, refinement, marketing or distribution of oil or oil products; if so, how many and the dates and terms on which they have been employed or retained.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
At least two of the directors have had considerable involvement in different facets of oil trading and three others have varying degrees of experience in relation to oil. It is, of course, necessary to have a combination of other business skills and expertise on the board. Specific oil expertise can be acquired as necessary among personnel recruited for key positions.
The corporation have been in existence for a very short period and have not yet recruited any permanent staff. Services necessary to assist the board in their initial work are being obtained on a consultancy basis and through secondment arrangements with other bodies. Such arrangements are, of course, matters within the competence of the board.
I wish to make it clear that I do not intend a reflection of any kind on the members of what seems to me to be a board comprised of very fine people but would the Minister agree that there is not on the board any one person who is visibly and extremely experienced in the oil business? I know that they are people with experience in businesses that have a good deal to do with oil consumption but that is different from experience in the oil business as such. If there is any member with this kind of experience, perhaps the Minister would let us know which one.
I am glad that Deputy Kelly has indicated his recognition of the service that the members of this board are rendering to the State.
That is beyond question.
The Deputy will be aware of the composition of the board. One member has had 15 years' experience with the ESB in the field of purchasing oil. Another member has had a career in oil down through the years, first, with one of the five oil companies and afterwards in a company of his own. The secretary of the Department has had considerable experience in negotiating with major international oil companies as a result of which he has established a very significant working relationship with a variety of people in the oil business. The chairman of the board has a knowledge of the oil business so far as aircraft fuels are concerned. Since his appointment in the Department, Mr. Garvey has been engaged to a considerable extent in energy matters. However, I am reluctant to name the various members in this way. Suffice is to say that right across the board there has been experience in oil matters. I am sure that Deputy Kelly is very happy also with the success of the board so far.
We shall judge the board as we go along. I agree totally that the board consists of very experienced and admirable people but from the point of view of expertise in this complex and jungle-like business, would the Minister agree that the board has a somewhat amateur-like complexion?
The Deputy is being argumentative.
I accept that the oil business represents a complex and jungle-like world but the board we are talking of have been extremely successful so far. Having regard to the very nature of our country it would have been impossible to have found better people to serve on the board than those who are members. Indeed, we are very fortunate in having such an excellent board.
I can appreciate the difficulties involved.
Would Deputy Kelly prefer that we would have a foreign member on the board?
Did not Deputy Lalor agree to the payment of £500,000 to a woman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the purpose of having assessed our attitudes to the Irish language?
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Question No. 7 postponed.