asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the position in regard to exploration by British companies in areas designated by the Irish Government north of Ireland.
Written Answers. - British Companies' Exploration.
698.
As the Deputy will be aware from the reply to previous question of his on this matter in October 1980, a British oil company had, in 1980, intended to carry out a seismic work in certain blocks off the north west, parts of which are claimed by both this country and the UK, but had subsequently decided not to go ahead with the survey following representations from my Department. To the best of my knowledge, since then no exploration has been undertaken by British companies in the area in question.