Mr. Matthew Collins:

I am grateful for the clarification of what the question was about. Deputy Smith raised a broad set of issues. She is quite correct when she says this is not just about Ireland. Ireland's energy policy and climate policy is grounded within European Union policy. In the context of European emissions reductions of the order of 80% to 95%, the scenarios indicate that approximately one third of primary energy within the EU will be oil and gas in 2050. As such, a solution must be found to meet that requirement. That is in the context of significant emissions reductions. Europe as a whole faces energy security issues. These issues have been discussed at ministerial level and policy has been developed. The EU dependence on imported natural gas is almost 70%.

Security at a European level is important and we are part of that market.

The Deputy referred to a seismic testing study. The scientific view is that it is a limited study. I believe six samples were carried out daily over two days. It was conducted in an estuary in Australia in an area of about 30 m. Seismic activity takes place in deeper areas in Ireland so the data are not usefully comparable. Further research would have to be done and further academic studies carried out in that area. It does not tell us much about the impact of seismic surveys in the area because of the different circumstances and the limited nature of that one study undertaken.

All the licensed activity that happens in Ireland is subject to the application of the environmental impact assessment directive and the implementation of the birds and habitats directives. As with any industrial activity, proposals must set out the impacts in accordance with the European legislation and the determinations are made in each case. Those determinations are made public, there is a public feedback period and that informs the Minister's decision on whether to grant an approval.