Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I add my voice in supporting this good amendment. The consultation process on the safety framework should obviate difficulties down the line, which have emerged concerning the Corrib. I also welcome the introduction of timelines, whereby people must make their submissions within a specified time. I presume the commission will also have to function within a timeline, subsequent to getting those commissions from the viewpoint of finalising the safety framework. The general public must have confidence in the process as well as having a mechanism for their views to be taken into account in the safety statement. We must, however, get away from this idea that everybody in the State has a veto on any sort of development. We have seen examples of that. There is a lot of obstruction of all sorts of development, including our natural resources. We need a more incentivised policy of encouraging the exploration and production of those natural resources. The Minister and his Department could do a lot to give effect to that. We should perhaps examine the licensing mechanism and the charges we apply. From the citizen's viewpoint, rather than seeking licence fees up front, we should perhaps look at taking a benefit down the line if the exploration is successful and leads to oil or gas production. I would like to see us developing a policy along those lines. If we are successful in identifying such fields, we will obviously benefit through employment and an important revenue stream to the Exchequer at a time when we are looking at serious and tight fiscal constraints in the medium term. I would like to encourage such an approach. I welcome this provision because it might reassure reasonable people that positive steps are being taken in their interests.