Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Oil and Gas Exploration.

Enda Kenny

Question:

118 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the studies, if any, he has carried out on the economic aspects and consequences of onshore developments of oil and gas finds; his approach towards conditions being laid down for similar developments in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23683/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods):

My statutory powers in the area of licensing of oil and gas activities relate to the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources. My colleague, the Minister for Public Enterprise, deals with the utilisation of these resources onshore. This would include the construction and maintenance of the pipeline network and the transmission, distribution and use of these resources.

I recently received a report entitled An Economic Assessment of the Contributions of Irish Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Operations to the Irish Economy, which was prepared in NUI Cork. This report was commissioned by the Irish Offshore Operators Association – IOOA – as a result of discussions within the framework group on Irish goods and services to the industry, chaired by my Department. I have asked the chairman of the group to give priority to follow up action on the report and to keep me informed of progress.

I am aware that various studies and analyses have recently been undertaken in relation to gas demand and infrastructure requirements to 2025 by Bord Gáis Éireann and the Depart ment of Public Enterprise. I understand that the main recommendation from an economic evaluation of the various gas supply options considered in the studies is that any decision concerning major capital investment in import pipelines must have regard to the implications of the clarification of commerciality of the Corrib gas find. In the meantime, Bord Gáis Éireann is continuing with its work on preliminary engineering and routing studies regarding the various new gas supply infrastructure options identified in the studies.