Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1326. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if companies engaging in offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation are required to guarantee supply to the State or sell resources at a reduced rate to the State or Irish companies. [1823/18]
View answerThere is no specific requirement on exploration companies to sell oil or gas discovered in the Irish offshore into the Irish market or to sell oil or gas at a reduced rate to the State or Irish companies. This is consistent with international practice. A combination of practical factors and market forces would dictate that where a local demand exists, a discovery will be landed and sold locally to ensure maximum recovery from the field and to reduce the cost of transportation. This has been the practice to date, with all commercial finds (Kinsale Head, Ballycotton, Seven Heads and Corrib) having been delivered into the Irish market. In all cases, the State’s fiscal regime applies to the production of gas in the Irish offshore.
