Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2006
109 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his Department’s view on the possibility of multinational companies controlling huge energy production resources here. [3657/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present there is gas production in Ireland from: (a) the Kinsale Head and Ballycotton gas fields, in production since 1978 and now almost at depletion levels; and (b) the Seven Heads field which has experienced significant production difficulties. The Corrib Gas field has yet to commence production and is unlikely to do so before 2008. We are fortunate to have an ongoing exploration programme with licences held by a variety of companies, some of which are multinational.
The dilemma facing any Government with prospective territory is that unless it is prepared to engage in expensive and risky exploration itself, it needs to license willing private sector parties to do so. The corollary of this is that if exploration is successful, the successful explorer will be given production rights in accordance with terms known in advance. It is important, of course, that all relevant information is made available to the State. It is clear that all Governments since the mid-1970s have accepted this basic approach. Proven reserves today are modest rather than huge and it is overwhelmingly in the national interest that any additional resources are discovered and produced.
