Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 5

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

25 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the discussions, if any, he has had with oil exploration companies and a company (details supplied) in particular regarding the maximum possible use of Irish workers in exploration and development work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24738/99]

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

49 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the recent discussions, if any, he has had with an oil exploration company (details supplied) on the maximum possible use of Irish workers on rig exploration activities and on servicing the rigs from an Irish port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24819/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 49 together.

As I outlined in my replies in the House on 23 June 1999 and 20 October 1999, arising from discussions which I had with the Irish Offshore Operators Association and SIPTU, I arranged that my Department set up and facilitate discussions between representatives of the Irish Offshore Operators Association, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Offshore Suppliers Association on the utilisation of Irish resources and services in the offshore petroleum industry. These discussions are ongoing.

I recently met with the board of the company referred to by the deputy and impressed on them my expectations for the use of Irish workers and goods and services in their operations in this country. While exploration and production companies have of course employed, and continue to employ, Irish workers in offshore exploration and development, particularly in the Kinsale Gas Field, I nevertheless wish to reiterate that 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. As I have said before, I have continually impressed on the Irish Offshore Operators Association and the individual operators that Irish workers and suppliers of goods and services, including service ports, must be given opportunities to participate in such activities and I will continue to do so. I have designated Enterprise Ireland to act as facilitator between operators of petroleum exploration licences and Irish providers of goods and services.

As I have previously stated in the House, responsibility as regards employment of workers and indeed the provision of services and related issues, including the selection of service ports for offshore operations, are strictly matters for the exploration companies and their contractors. There are no powers available to me to require undertakings in regard to jobs or the provision of services with the oil companies involved in offshore petroleum exploration activities. The imposition of such conditions on licence holders is precluded under EU legislation in force since 1968 (Regulation 1612/68) in relation to the freedom of movement of workers.