Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am aware there are concerns in the United States about the process to which Deputy Ferris refers. When this matter first came to my attention, I did not appreciate that the work going on consisted largely of desktop studies of existing data. Therefore, the notion one could fall into a terrible hole around Lough Allen is not exactly in accord with what is happening. I am also aware that a horror movie is being hawked around the country with the implication that dreadful things are going on in the Lough Allen basin. When I found that all of this was a few chaps in front of a computer screen, I had to take a rain check with regard to what is happening.

If the data suggests there is merit in continuing the process further into exploration, the exploration companies must come back to get an environmental impact assessment and then seek permission. I do not know that this is in prospect at present. If it is, we will consider it when it happens.

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