Vol. 497 No. 5
80 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding a company (details supplied) drilling for gas off the west coast of Belmullet, County Mayo; the policy of this company regarding the employment of Irish workers; and if he will make a statement on the fact that the servicing of this oil rig is being conducted from Scotland. [25387/98]
The company in question has completed its drilling operations for 1998 in the Irish offshore. It drilled an appraisal well earlier this year in Block 18/20 about 70 kilometres west of Achill. The appraisal well was successfully tested and production of gas was measured at a stabilised rate of 63 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The test indicated that very favourable production rates can be achieved from this discovery. Full evaluation of the discovery will involve further appraisal work, including the drilling of additional appraisal wells; over the next two to three years.
Responsibility for the employment of workers and indeed the provision of services and related issues is a matter for the exploration companies and their contractors. EU legislation on freedom of movement of workers within member states precludes the imposition on operators of any conditions as regards minimum levels of employment of Irish workers.
However, it is Government policy to ensure that the Irish economy benefits to the maximum extent possible from offshore exploration activities within the constraints of EU legislation. I have continually impressed on the Irish Offshore Operators Association and the individual operators that Irish suppliers of goods and services and indeed Irish workers must be given opportunities to participate in such activities and I will continue to do so.
