Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Following the Easter recess, will the Leader put down a motion in regard to a recent publication by Forfás on competitiveness, particularly with regard to energy, which is the most serious future challenge? The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources should be invited to the House to explain the present position with regard to the Corrib Shell gas field. Some 60% of our gas energy needs are contained in the Corrib field but it is not being exploited. The people of Roscommon town had to live for years with acrylic nitrate going through the town to the Asahi plant in Ballina, at high risk, because they supported the retention of jobs there. Acrylic nitrate is more dangerous than any natural gas.

I appeal to Statoil, which is selling its plants in Ireland, to continue to honour the Statoil premium club promotion, which ended at the end of January. Millions of points are held but nobody can avail of them. I have contacted Statoil and take this opportunity to state that if the company does not honour the points, I will take the matter to the Competition Authority. The company should honour the premium club promotion.