John Whelan (Labour)

I too welcome the Minister to the House and – not unusually – his pragmatic and sensible comments and observations on the report. I commend the committee, of which I am a member, on the report, in particular the Chairman, Deputy Andrew Doyle. The report is an important volume and a benchmark which allows us to have an informed debate on this important issue.

I feel a little out of my depth discussing offshore oil and gas exploration. Coming as I do from the most landlocked county in the country, it is not something that will bother us unduly.