Vol. 290 No. 5
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that planning permission has been granted for the construction of concrete off-shore drilling platforms at Killary Bay, Connemara, County Galway; and if he considers this site the most suitable for concrete platform construction in this country.
22.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of a newspaper report (details supplied) that the Industrial Development Authority are arranging to buy a site for concrete platform building for leasing to builders who have orders; and, if so, if he will confirm the report and state whether the site is located in County Galway.
23.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ensure that the Industrial Development Authority will grant aid for the construction of concrete platforms at the Killary site, Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, and 23 together.
I would like to state again my intention, already announced, to introduce legislation to provide for the control and regulation of the construction of oil and gas off-shore production platforms in order to ensure that the limited number of suitable sites for such works is used to the best advantage. My legislative proposals would require that platform construction could not be undertaken except under a licence granted by me.
In addition, in order to avoid a position where a suitable site, although not in use, would not be available to builders who would otherwise be in a position to obtain orders, I have authorised the IDA to purchase a site at Castletownbere which is considered to be most suitable. This site will be leased to builders who have obtained orders. At present I do not consider it necessary that the authority should purchase a second site.
As regards Killary Harbour, I understand that full planning permission was granted on a temporary basis by Galway County Council for the construction of a floating concrete caisson at the site there and that this permission will expire in July, 1976.
According to the advice available to me, the water depths at the entrance to Killary Harbour are inadequate to cater for all but the smallest structures, and the harbour is, therefore, limited as to the type of structures which can be built there.
It is not the policy to give grant aid for platform construction projects.
Can the Minister say whether the Chicago firm near Killala got a grant from the IDA?
I would be happy to give the information but it is not the sort of thing that I would like to do from memory.
They did get it.
I cannot say that for certain and so I cannot tell the Deputy the amount but I will give the Deputy an answer if he puts a question down for me.
Why does the Minister say it is not the practice to give grant aid to firms interested in platform construction when, in fact, several hundred thousand pounds were given to the firm in Killala?
This is a question of a specific reference to Killala by Deputies to a situation with which I am not familiar but I will happily get that information if Deputies will put down a question to me.
The Minister stated in his reply that it was not the practice to give grant aid to firms interested in platform construction. Deputy Barrett and I put it to him that the Killala project got substantial grant aid from the IDA. I am asking the Minister to reconcile that fact with what he has just stated.
I have indicated that I do not accept it is a fact.
Is the Minister denying payment of a grant to Killala?
I am not in the position to say whether a payment was made but I cannot accept it as factual and leave it unchallenged when the Deputy states firmly that it was paid.
Why is the Minister in doubt as to whether Killala was paid anything when he makes a categorical statement that it is not the practice to provide grants for platform construction?
There is the difference of a number of years and there is a total difference in the world's demand and supply situation in regard to the production of platforms.
As we assume that Killala got grant aid, and that it has failed to get any orders——
The Deputy cannot make such an assumption.
In view of the failure of the Killala firm to get any orders for the building of platforms, could the Minister say whether the IDA considered purchasing this one, which is partially constructed, rather than purchasing a new site at Castletownbere?
I have three questions from Deputy Molloy, all of which make reference to County Galway. I will happily give answers to questions if Deputies put them down. These are areas where I think it desirable to be asked a question and let the proper process of information gathering go on. I do not want to give answers off the top of my head which may or may not be accurate.
Because of the fact that the IDA have now purchased a site at Castletownbere——
The Deputy is going into another area.
The Minister raised other matters.
That may be so, but that is a separate question.
It arises out of what the Minister said.
Because the IDA have purchased a site at Castletownbere, could the Minister say if it is now intended to issue no further permits or authorisations for the building of platforms for other sites?
I cannot give a firm answer. There is a very slack demand situation at this moment. If there is a need for a second location, then that is a course of action the IDA can take. They are not committed to taking it, neither do they rule it out. The purchase of a site ties up a good deal of money and there is no point purchasing a site which is never used. There is a shortage of people ordering such platforms at this time. I should like to see the one site they own utilised before considering the purchase of a second.
Does the House wish to deal with the few remaining questions tabled to the Minister?
Yes.
Question No. 24.
Further to the Minister's reply——
I have given Deputy Barrett a lot of latitude. How much more does he require?
We are into injury time.
That is not the point. I have allowed the Deputy a series of supplementary questions and he is still asking more.
There are people going around the country looking for options on land along the coast for the purpose of building platforms. Would the Minister not consider it important to make a definite statement whether there will be any further applications considered?
I can certainly look into the matter, if the Deputy raises a real point, and have it considered. I do not want to give a firm answer now, but I will look into the matter raised.
