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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Mar 1967

Vol. 227 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Exploration for Oil and Natural Gas.

97.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any firm agreements have been entered into by the Government and any oil concern for exploration for oil and natural gas within the territorial waters.

The exclusive rights of exploring for oil and natural gas in this country and in the sea bed beneath the territorial waters has been held by an American group of companies under a licence issued in 1960. The licensees have a right of renewal of their licence, subject to certain conditions, and an application for renewal is under consideration at present.

Would the Minister say whether these people are using the licences they have to prevent other people from carrying out exploration?

The work carried out so far has been limited to seismic marine surveys.

Could the Minister arrange that an obligation be imposed on these licence holders, when they are asking for a renewal of their licences, to carry out exploratory work? It would be a pity if we missed out on the present important developments.

Would the Minister ask these people if they have any intention of taking action in the foreseeable future?

I am sure the Minister for Industry and Commerce has all these aspects of the situation in mind and will take the attitude of the company in regard to these matters into account in deciding on the merits of the application for renewal.

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