The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 provides that I may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, compulsorily acquire either permanently or temporarily any such land or ancillary right which I consider is necessary for the efficient or convenient exploitation of petroleum. This can be done by a working facilities acquisition order made under the Act.
When it is proposed to make a working facilities acquisition order, the Minister is required to serve notice on every person appearing to him to have an interest in such land, notice of his intention of doing so at least two months before making such an order and if there is a dwelling place on such land, at least four months, and publish in one or more newspapers circulating in the locality in which such land is situated a like notice of his intention. Such notices, if they relate to the acquisition of land, must state the situation and area of such land, with sufficient particularity to enable such land to be easily identified, and state the nature and duration of the interest proposed to be acquired in such land. If such notice relates to the acquisition of an ancillary right, it must state the nature of such right, the land or other property in respect of which such right is proposed to be acquired and the period for which such right is proposed to be acquired.
The Minister shall be liable to pay compensation for any land or ancillary right acquired under a working facility acquisition order. All claims for compensation payable may be made any time within six months or such longer period altogether not exceeding 12 months as the Minister may in any particular case allow after the date of the order, and no such claim shall be entertained unless made within that period.