Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Out of courtesy to those in the Gallery, I would like to get this debate wrapped up by 10.15 p.m., if nobody wants to push the Bill to a vote. I commend Deputy Tony McLoughlin. His original Bill was the Prohibition of the Exploration and Extraction of Onshore Petroleum Bill. The debate that took place on Committee Stage did not include any debate on offshore exploration and extraction, therefore it is inappropriate to introduce statutory prohibitions that are not underpinned by scientific rationale and place Ireland at an unfair competitive disadvantage by creating the uncertainty of limiting the operator's capability to assess reservoirs in the Irish offshore.

I understand the points about offshore oil exploration, however, we must accept also that fossil fuels will play a part of our energy mix in the coming years as we transition to a low-carbon economy. I ask Members to withdraw their amendments. I do not propose to accept them. I note that Deputy Boyd Barrett has tabled separate Private Members' legislation on the potential to introduce a prohibition on hydraulic fracturing in the offshore. In my view that would be a more appropriate vehicle for the discussion on this matter.

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