Future work for Irish firms
Gallagher asked whether firms like the Mayo company could secure future work. The Minister said the 1975 licensing terms permit Irish goods and services to be required where possible, but prospects depend on discoveries being made.
Can the Minister indicate from the experience to date if there is any future for companies like the one I mentioned in Mayo and does he see any prospect of their being in a position to tender or secure work in future?
Comment on this
Under the 1975 licensing terms, as I have said, we are in a position to require firms to use Irish goods and services whenever possible. But whether there is a future or not for firms depends on the extent and timing of the discoveries. If those discoveries take place, then there is certainly a future and we are in a position to insist on their services being used wherever the discovering company comes from; if not, no.