Mr. Ciarán Ó hÓbáin:

It is very common that the company that commences the exploration phase of a project with a full 100% interest would, at a minimum, dilute its interest as it advances through the stages of exploration towards development.

That would be to done to share the risk before significant money was invested. In the event that a company was selling, or there was a change in control and it was withdrawing and selling its share to its partner, it would require the consent of the Minister. The key issue for the Minister in considering this would be whether the partnership had been strengthened by the change in control. The principal point is that it does not change the obligations that go with the authorisation; they continue.