asked the Minister for Energy the progress to date in the exploration for natural gas in west Cavan.

9.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the possibility of gas and oil supplies from the exploration in west Cavan.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

During the early sixties two exploration wells were drilled in west Cavan and some interesting gas shows were encountered in one of them.

In early 1981 a new exploration group re-entered this well and by applying fracturing techniques, increased the gas flow rate. While the improvement was substantial it did not establish commercial viability.

Subsequently two major seismic surveys were conducted over the area and it is expected that a further well, located at Macnean, is being drilled since late last month.

Has any investigation been done into the market? Have the Department been in consultation with the Northern authorities as it is generally accepted that the gas field extends into Fermanagh?

I have not been personally in contact with the Northern authorities. I am sure there are ongoing discussions with them. The present situation is that drilling has just started on the well, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware, since the end of last month. The situation now is to wait and see the result of the tests of that well.

Would the Minister agree that the EEC Social and Economic Committee place great emphasis on the natural resources? Is it not a great pity, seeing that this is at EEC level, that there is not an accompanying examination of the needs? Would the Minister not agree that in most cases it is the populous areas which are being facilitated and that regions such as this, which would be given a great fillip in regard to industry, are affected? In view of the expensive surveys carried out would the Minister have accompanying examinations made of those areas for suitable markets?

I assure the Deputy that the studies which have been carried out will be fully utilised by us in looking at the structure of the area. The question at the moment is that it will obviously take some time before any results are to hand in relation to the amount of gas in the area. I assure the Deputy that full studies will be undertaken.

Would the Minister agree in view of the fact that the geological evidence seems to suggest that, if there is gas in west Cavan, it extends into Fermanagh and vice versa, a joint study on the area with the Northern authorities is far more likely to be useful than simply we operating on our own, that the amount of knowledge that can be gleaned is not simply the sum of the two separate studies but that a joint study and joint exploration could be infinitely more valuable?

I agree with the Deputy's point in relation to the proximity of the location between Cavan, Fermanagh and the areas on both sides of the Border. I do not envisage any difficulty in relation to getting the co-operation of the Northern Ireland and the British authorities regarding joint studies. This is a matter which can be taken up and which will be of benefit to both areas if there is a commercial discovery. Obviously it is not a simple matter of a finding on both sides because there will be interlocking of the fields.

Has any work been done on the Fermanagh side?

I believe there is an intention to explore on the Fermanagh side but I do not believe any work has been done to date.

10.