Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
512 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that drilling will be commencing shortly off different parts of our coastline, if there is any mechanism that can be put in place to ensure that the drilling exploration companies will offer a fair share and proportion of the jobs to Irish persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26907/12]
View answerThe level of exploration activity offshore Ireland is low, with on average only one to two wells drilled per year over the past decade. As a consequence of the low level of drilling activity there are no offshore drilling rigs permanently based in Ireland. When an exploration well is to be drilled exploration companies engage an international drilling contractor to bring a rig along with its existing crew to carry out the drilling operation. Exploration drilling in the Irish offshore does give rise to some employment opportunities in ancillary supply/support areas such as ports. Until there is a much higher level of exploration drilling in the Irish offshore, this situation is likely to remain unchanged.
By way of illustration of the low level of drilling, only one exploration well was drilled in the Irish offshore last year and while my Department is aware that plans are being advanced for further exploration drilling, no application for drilling approval has been received by my Department to date this year.
