Vol. 530 No. 2
39 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress made in his discussions with unions and management to ensure the maximum possible employment of Irish workers in the development of the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3355/01]
As I said in my reply to a similar question raised in the House on 23 November 2000, my Department set up and is facilitating discussions between representatives of the Irish Offshore Operators Association, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Offshore Suppliers Association on the utilisation of Irish resources and services in the offshore petroleum industry. Exploration and production companies employ Irish workers in offshore exploration and development, particularly in the Kinsale gas field. I have continually impressed on the Irish Offshore Operators Association and the individual operators that Irish workers and suppliers of goods and services, including service ports, must be given opportunities to participate fully in such activities and I will continue to do so.
In an address to the Institute of Petroleum last November, I made it clear that the Government does not expect the industry to avail of Irish goods, services or employment where these are clearly uncompetitive. The Government does, however, expect the industry to encourage and facilitate potential Irish suppliers to compete for the services required. This should be done in partnership with State agencies and should be seen as part of the industry's commitment to Ireland, within a long-term commercial and marketing framework. Any company operating in Ireland for the long-term should see that it is in its own best commercial interest to build strong links into the Irish economy and to demonstrate a significant economic and social dividend both at regional and national level.
Arising from the discussions being facilitated by my Department, the IOOA and FÁS, in consultation with SIPTU, have established a procedure to identify suitably qualified personnel who wish to be considered for any specific vacancies for work both in the development of the Corrib field and in the Irish offshore. This procedure was advertised last month by FÁS in the national press. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has the co-operation of the Irish Offshore Operators Association and individual operators to ensure there is early notification of future offshore work to potential Irish suppliers. I am glad to say that the Irish Offshore Operators Association is committed to fully support these opportunities.
