Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

I had a speech prepared for this debate but I will ignore it, having listened to what has passed for debate on this topic earlier. I will address some of the issues that arose during the so-called debate. I always seek to try to find areas in which agreement can be found and everyone will agree that this nation, our people, our economy and our dignity, demands that all negotiations regarding natural resources and exploration and extraction, should be professional, open, transparent and accountable. Also we would all agree that all exploration and extraction must be done using only proven safe technology and must be done in consultation with and with the informed consent of the majority of the people living in the areas where the exploration or extraction is being carried on. I think also that we would all agree that there must be a fair economic return to this State from the profits of whatever oil or gas or whatever, is extracted and that all estimates and claims of amounts extracted and potential amounts to be extracted, must be verified by qualified scientific and technical staff working on behalf of the State and not on behalf of the exploring or the extracting companies. I believe that only then will we have fairness and equity and transparency in the area of natural resources usage in this country.

I am saddened when I read the Government's proposed amendment to the motion, the last paragraph of which states:

"That Dáil Éireann ...further recognises that, having regard to the fact that only four commercial discoveries of petroleum have been made in the Irish offshore since the 1970s and to the significant costs involved in exploring for oil and gas in the deep waters of the Irish Atlantic Margin, the cost of such exploration should be borne at this time by industry and not by the Irish taxpayer."

If this is the best opening position for a debate that this Government is using with the EU and the IMF, then good God, it is no wonder we are in the position we are in today.

See this speech in context