Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I concur with my colleague and the Minister. None of us wishes to exacerbate the situation. Original positions that were relatively easy to resolve have become mountains. As legislators we must encourage those involved to accept that the use of a natural resource is imperative to the nation's economy. We must address areas of common ground with the objective of achieving credibility in the use of our natural resources. At some stage we must decide if we have won or lost without making it a life or death issue. If issues such as this become life or death, no progress will take place. We will not be able to build roads, factories or buildings.

In the initial stages there were genuine concerns. We spoke of how structures will be in place in future as a result of this legislation. Notwithstanding the best efforts of all concerned, we arrived at an unsatisfactory situation in respect of development of the Corrib gas field. We must learn from this. The Minister should avail of the opportunity to make amendments in the Seanad. The amendments tabled by my colleague are in order.

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