Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Bill in so far as it allows the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, to fulfil its responsibilities in respect of the safety aspects of the infrastructure associated with petroleum and gas exploration and development. This legislation is long overdue and I thank the Minister for bringing it before us. I look forward to the Committee Stage debate on the Bill and, in particular, to discussing any amendments which might be tabled.

The need for this legislation arose from the controversy to which the Corrib project gave rise. There are aspects of that project which remain to be dealt with but we will not discuss them today. We owe a debt to the people of Rossport and elsewhere who, in the interests of the safety of their families and communities, were prepared to take a stand in respect of the Corrib field. Those to whom I refer played a major role in the context of the development of the Bill before the House.

I do not accept - as was stated during the Seanad debate on the Bill - that had this framework been in place when the protests relating to the Corrib field were at their height, the matter would have been resolved. It is disingenuous to suggest this because the protests in respect of the Corrib were to do with more than just safety. Those protests also related to the exploitation of the resources of the Corrib for the benefit of the local communities there and the people of Ireland in general rather than for the benefit of the oil companies, and so on.

A question arises in respect of start-up costs. I welcome the fact that what is proposed will be cost-neutral and that the companies involved will be obliged to shoulder the costs incurred. While welcoming the measures in the Bill, my party would support the State - through the CER or any other body - having wider powers in respect of overall exploration costs. In the context of the specific areas to be covered by the CER in respect of this matter, I take it that there is little controversy involved and that those who took part in the consultation process are - in light of the low-key response to the Bill and the lack of lobbying in respect of it - satisfied with the outcome thereto.

It is essential that the consultation process should be as wide as possible and that it should take account of the concerns of communities. We are all on the same ship - for want of a better word - when it comes to safety. The Minister will have the full support of my party in respect of any measures relating to safety. I am somewhat concerned with regard to the timeframe relating to putting the framework in place, particularly as a number of controversial projects may be entering the planning process prior to its introduction. The Minister and his officials must take cognisance of that fact.

Any difficulties which Members may have in respect of the Bill can be dealt with on Committee Stage. I look forward to everyone involved - the Government, the Minister, the officials and the Opposition - approaching the Committee Stage debate with an open mind. It is essential to put in place as all-encompassing a safety programme as possible in order that the industry might develop. The Minister can rely on my party's support, provided it is satisfied that the safety aspects have been addressed, that widespread consultation will take place and that what is proposed will remain cost-neutral to the Exchequer.

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