asked the Minister for Energy when it is anticipated that drilling and testing on Block 49/9 will have been completed.

12.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a full statement on the results of exploration to date in Block 49/9.

13.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the latest information available to the Government on the results of oil exploration activities in the Celtic Sea.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.

Gulf Oil (Ireland) Limited, Atlantic Resources Limited and Unionoil (Ireland) Limited comprise the consortium which holds block 49/9 under an exclusive offshore exploration licence. Gulf Oil (Ireland) Limited is the operator for the licence.

The operator has, to date, drilled two exploration wells in this block. The first of these was dry and was plugged and abandoned. The second resulted in the discovery of hydrocarbons. The operator then drilled the first appraisal well related to the discovery and drilling and testing of that well was completed on 5 April last. This well has now been temporarily abandoned as was the discovery well.

It is the practice that statements regarding the results of wells are in all cases issued by the operator. In regard to the three wells now completed in block 49/9, Gulf as operator have issued formal statements on their results. The latest such statement was issued by Gulf on 7 April last.

I do not propose to depart from the normal practice by adding to those statements, especially in view of the confidential nature of the well data. I will, however, be pressing the licensees to proceed with all haste in completing the delineation of the field.

When does the Minister expect that the fourth well will be drilled in block 49/9?

I cannot give the Deputy an exact date. As I said in my reply, I am anxious to see the full delineation of the field and we are encouraging the exploration companies to carry out investigations as quickly as possible.

Would the Minister not have arranged already that as soon as the well on field 48/19 which is being drilled at present is completed the rig would return to 49/9 in view of the fact that in one of the three wells drilled so far there was a significant hydrocarbon find?

It is a matter for the explorers to assess the results after the well is completed and then to set out a further exploration programme.

Are we to take it that the Government would have no objection if Gulf decided that they did not wish to drill another well in 49/9 for a year or two?

We are encouraging the exploration of this field to continue as quickly as possible. It is in everybody's interest that it be done but it is not a question of dictating one way or another. I do not see occurring the hypothetical situation to which the Deputy refers because it is in the interest of the company, of the Government and of the people generally that drilling takes place as quickly as possible.

In those circumstances is the Minister not suggesting a date on which the well will be drilled?

Not at this stage, given the variation in time. As was found from the last drilling, there were unforeseen delays, all of which are well-founded. One must wait and see what happens in relation to this well.

Would the Minister care to comment on the various items which emerged by way of leaked information during the course of the drilling and which resulted in the manipulation of shares at the time?

That seems to be a different question.

The information did not come from my Department. The matter of speculation on the stock market is something over which I have no control. I would deplore what happened in the past number of months.

This must be the final supplementary.

Question No. 13 is broader than a reference to field 49/9. The Minister has not adverted in his reply to the results that are available to him.

I will make available to the Deputy all the up-to-date information that is at my disposal on these activities.

Would the Minister agree that one of the reasons for all the speculation and rumour is the lack of official information? In these circumstances would he not consider it useful, when a well is completed, to make a comprehensive statement on the lines that I have asked for in Question No. 12 instead of simply saying that he had nothing to add to what the company had said?

The Deputy will appreciate that in respect of exploration activities there is a high degree of competitiveness between the exploring companies. It would not be in the best interest of anyone that information be made available on an on-going basis.

I asked whether, after drilling of a well had been completed, the Minister would not consider it appropriate to make a comprehensive statement.

The practice has been for the company concerned to issue a statement and I do not think that anything can be added by my making a statement.

14.