Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

It is in our interests to do what is right and what is best for the people. We should not mislead them and provide them with inaccurate information.

My final point also involves Norway and the Troll gas field which is located off its coast. That field is approximately 50 times the size of the Corrib gas field. We talk about investment in drilling and oil exploration. We should have it. Is it wise for the nation to take responsibility for it at this time? Following the 2007 licensing arrangement, it is not true that it is free.

It may be that our resources were given away readily in the past. However, from the 1970s a rigid regime was in place that did not produce anything, because the risk was too great. Should the private sector or the public sector take the risk? Should the taxpayers take the risk in this case? I say, no.

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