Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

The Minister makes a relevant point when he notes that 80% or 40% of nothing is still nothing. However, one can apply the same logic to the idea of giving a 50% share of something to Norway because, as matters stand, it would amount to 50% of nothing. We could use the expertise developed in Norway and adopt the Norwegian approach to offshore exploration. While I accept that Norwegian waters have more oil than Irish waters and that it is, therefore, easier to make finds in Norway, on the basis that a high percentage of nothing is nothing, why not explore the proposal and ascertain its potential? Having done so, the Minister would then be entitled to describe it as daft.

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