Vol. 472 No. 5
18 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Galway Harbour is used as an oil servicing port by companies granted licences to explore and drill for oil and gas off the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23482/96]
The selection of a port to be used as a shore base to service offshore exploration activities is a matter for the companies concerned. My Department's sole responsibility is to ensure that the port selected meets with the necessary criteria particularly as regards suitability to meet the emergency response requirements of the Department of the Marine. I understand Galway Harbour posed problems in that regard when it was considered by a company for its recent drilling programme and the harbour authority is aware of the difficulties involved.
