Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in the absence of the State retaining equity in offshore exploration for oil and gas, he will employ independent experts to determine the extent of offshore finds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26503/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department employs three specialists in petroleum exploration plus technical support staff whose work includes the assessment of offshore prospects on a regional basis. This work is done in particular for every licensing round. These specialists have an accumulated 65 years experience of the Irish offshore within my Department, in addition to industry experience. Other expertise is contracted in as required. At present the Department employs a geophysicist and a petroleum engineer on a consultancy basis — these consultants work up to 150 days each per annum for my Department.