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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

98 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to issue a petroleum lease to companies (details supplied) to develop the Corrib field; if it is intended to attach conditions to the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28939/01]

A petroleum lease under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 demising the petroleum in the Corrib gas field to Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited and its partners Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited and Marathon International Petroleum (Hibernia) Limited was granted by me on 15 November 2001. In accordance with section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, I attached, in agreement with the Corrib group certain covenants, conditions and subsidiary agreements as I considered proper or desirable in the public interest, consistent with good industry practice and in accordance with other relevant laws. These conditions include, inter alia, such matters as the environmental aspects of the development, health, safety and welfare of all agents, contractors employed or undergoing training in or about the leasehold area as well as decommissioning facilities on the cessation of commercial production operations. It should be noted that the lessees are not permitted to commence development of the field until a plan of development is submitted and approved by me and all other authorisations, including planning permission for the terminal, are in place.

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