asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on recent reports that a committee or commission is being set up to review oil and gas exploration terms; if he sees it as necessary; and if he proposes to change the terms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil and Gas Exploration.
17.
It is appropriate that our offshore licensing terms should be kept under review to ensure that necessary adaptation or adjustment can be made when necessary in the context of the world oil situation. To that end the clarification statement of April 1985, outlining the manner in which the discretionary powers available to me under the 1975 terms will be applied in the case of marginal fields, was issued in the context of the ongoing monitoring in my Department of the offshore situation.
I am not at this stage proposing that the terms be changed; but I will continue to monitor the situation closely, taking account of all relevant factors, including the effect of reduced oil prices. I do not see the need to formalise such monitoring by the establishment of a committee or a commission, and no such body has been established by me.
Is the Minister aware of the reports I refer to — for instance, the report in the Sunday Independent of March 2 — to the effect that the Taoiseach is expected to announce changes in the oil terms? Is the Minister aware also of a previous report from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to the effect that a committee were to be set up to review our oil terms? I accept what the Minister is saying on the basis that he has said consistently that the terms are fair and reasonable and that he has no intention of changing them, but is he aware whether the other party in Government are taking a different line?
The Minister should watch them more closely.
The Deputy should study the operations of coalitions.
Is the Minister saying that there is to be no change in the terms?
I have said that I am not proposing at this stage that the terms be changed but that I will continue to monitor the situation closely as I have been doing since coming into office.
Since the Minister is a senior Minister of the Government I am asking him whether a committee have been set up to deal with this Government issue. Can he say whether he has any intention of participating in such a committee, or is what we have been reading in the papers mere nonsense and there is nothing happening behind the scenes?
I have not seen the article in that great Sunday newspaper, the Sunday Independent of 2 March.
They are working for the other partner.
Dessie is doing well there, too.
That must be a separate question.
I understand that it would be apparent from reading the report referred to that Fine Gael were setting up a sub-committee to discuss the matter with the Taoiseach. That is perfectly within the prerogative of that party, as it would be within the prerogative of Fianna Fáil.
I have made clear always where I stand on this issue, but apparently the parties in Government do not know where they stand in the matter.
Neither the Deputy nor Dessie did much in respect of the terms when they had the opportunity of doing so.
Deputy O'Malley.
For the record, then, Deputy O'Malley, who is losing members fast.
A Member of the House should be referred to as Deputy. He should not be referred to affectionately by his first name.