16 Márta 2012, 15:45
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture will meet with the Roald Næss, Ambassador of Norway on Tuesday 20 March. Mette Agerup, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Oil and Energy, Norway will also brief the Committee.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “Offshore exploration has been a priority issue for the Committee. The Committee has explored how best to develop our natural resources with minimum impact on local communities. We have engaged extensively with a wide range of opinion on the Corrib gas project in Co Mayo. It is quite clear that mistakes were made, particularly with regard to consultation process with the local community, which in turn delayed delivery of a key piece of national infrastructure.
“Norway is held up as an example of international good practice in the area of offshore exploration. With one of the highest standards of living in the world, it has a strong track record in harnessing offshore potential for the benefit of citizens. The meeting with the Ambassador and a high-level official in the Norwegian Ministry will grant Committee Members an insight into progressive policy making in the area.
“With the recent news of an oil strike off the Cork coast, the offshore exploration has the potential to intensify in the coming years. Incorporating the lessons from Norway, the Committee intends to publish a report and recommendations on an issue critical to Ireland’s future prosperity and sustainability.”
The meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday 20 March in Committee Room 1, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/xMg2nJ
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan