Vol. 518 No. 6
106 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to ensure the maximum use of Irish labour in exploration work in view of his recent address to a seminar in Westport on business opportunities for Irish companies to supply goods and services to the offshore industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/00]
My predecessors and my Department have consistently impressed on exploration companies that Irish companies have the capability and experience to win at least some of the contracts arising from exploration in the Irish offshore. I am pleased to say that the industry is in agreement with this view. Furthermore, IOOA, its representative organisation in Ireland, recently co-sponsored the seminar in Westport.
Other measures include the framework group representing the industry, ICTU and the State sector which is working to identify and develop the available opportunities for Irish goods and services. I have recently agreed with Enterprise Ireland that its international division would liaise directly with IOOA and its members and Irish companies in relation to such exploration and production contracts. Finally, I have encouraged trade union representatives to use every effort to make the services of their members and Irish labour generally available to exploration companies and sub contractors. I must reiterate that I have no powers of compulsion in this regard and have no intention of interfering in the normal arrangements for the recruitment of personnel and labour by exploration companies.
