Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 1990

Vol. 400 No. 9

Written Answers. - Exchequer Royalties.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

27 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy the total amount paid in royalties to the Exchequer by Marathon from the operation of the Kinsale gas field in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

The amounts paid in royalites by Marathon in respect of the operation of the Kinsale Head Gas Field in each of the past five years were as follows:

Year
	IR£
1985	6,734,655
1986	3,225,742
1987	1,067,745
1988	1,668,763
1989	4,038,114
Total	16,735,019

With the assistance of international consultants the task force evaluated the technical, economic and financial aspects of the options which they identified.

Because of the wealth of technical and financial detail concerning possible future operations at the refinery that is contained in the task force report, it is not considered appropriate to publish all this information much of which is highly confidential.The report could be used to advantage by potential competitors in the refining industry.

In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue appropriate opportunities which might lead to an oil producer or an international oil company participating in the proposed upgrading of the refinery and reactivation of the terminal. Because of their confidential nature, however, I am not in a position to discuss the details of individual approaches made by third parties regarding these facilities.

No specific relationships with an oil producer are envisaged in current contracts for an upgrading project at the refinery. I have, however, reasonable expectations that oil interests will participate in such a project.

Discussions with interested parties are ongoing but no final proposals are under consideration by me as yet.