Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - Natural Gas Find.

Michael Ring

Question:

106 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the situation regarding the gas find in County Mayo; the percentage of the venture which is funded by Ríaltas na hÉireann; and the investment stake held. [29914/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

108 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the land on which the terminal will be built and pipeline laid, further to the gas find in County Mayo; and the person or group who will purchase this land. [29916/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

109 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if a private company will purchase the property concerned with the gas find in County Mayo. [29917/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

110 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the projected figures for local sustainable employment further to the gas find in County Mayo; and the level of expertise which will be required. [29918/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

111 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if Ríaltas na hÉireann will take full responsibility for the building costs of the terminal for the gas find in County Mayo. [29919/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, and 108 to 111, inclusive, together.

Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited and its partners, Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited and Marathon International Petroleum (Hibernia) Limited, declared the Corrib gas field commercial last January and Enterprise Energy Ireland, as operator for the development of the Corrib field, applied to me on 9 January, 2001 for a petroleum lease. A petroleum lease under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, demising the petroleum in the Corrib gas field to Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited and its partners, was granted by me on 15 November 2001.

The Corrib gas field project including the terminal is privately funded by Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited and its partners Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited and Marathon International Petroleum (Hibernia) Limited. There is no financial contribution from the Exchequer. The Corrib group has purchased the terminal site from Coillte Teoranta and is at present negotiating way leaves agreements with the property owners over whose land the proposed pipeline will be routed.

The benefits to the people of north Mayo will include the opportunities for employment during the construction phase of the development and permanent employment at the terminal when it become operational. Enterprise Energy Ireland anticipates that Irish contractors and suppliers will feature prominently in the terminal construction team. It is also anticipated that the development will also provide more localised benefits for the duration of the construction period. These include increased trade in local shops and service industries and accommodation providers as well as indirect employment. Enterprise Energy Ireland intends that where possible these employment opportunities will be filled by the local population with appropriate training provided as required.

Michael Ring

Question:

107 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the projections for access of energy at source to the western region further to the gas find in County Mayo. [29915/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

This does not fall within my area of responsibility. The question should be addressed to the Minister for Public Enterprise.

Questions Nos. 108 to 111, inclusive, answered with Question No. 106.