Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a responsibility to this country. Obviously, the Minister has clear plans for the renewable sector and how to face its challenges. The world depends on a relatively small number of petroleum provinces that are mainly located in areas of political instability. Ireland is a stable country which may have oil or gas deposits. The international figures are quite startling. Some €900 billion per year is spent on oil and gas development. If Ireland were to strike significant reserves of oil and gas, as a stable political country, it would add to the overall international supply. There are international agreements and we cannot control what China and Asia does. We have responsibilities in Ireland and within the European Union to reduce the use of fossil fuels here. We must also develop renewable resources and within the Department that is going ahead. There are still financial benefits to the State accruing from the possibility of oil exploration.