asked the Minister for Energy the steps his Department have taken to ensure that adequate Irish technology is available for the development of our oil exploration programme.

Because of the highly speculative nature of oil exploration and the enormous costs involved, Government policy is to encourage the major oil companies to take up exploration licences onshore and offshore Ireland and to commit the necessary financial and technical resources to the search for hydrocarbons, rather than to promote the diversion of scarce Irish resources to such exploration. This policy has worked well in practice and it is not proposed to change it. The offshore licensing terms provide that oil companies engaged in exploration shall use goods and services of Irish origin in their activities, as far as they are competitive in regard to quality, service, delivery period and price, and the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards monitor the performance of the companies to ensure that they comply with this requirement.

Regarding technology for production, as distinct from exploration, the position is that a considerable amount of planning has already been undertaken, using as a guideline the experience of the Kinsale Head gasfield, which was developed between 1973 and 1978. The IIRS have already initiated a major review of the capabilities of Irish supplies in order to achieve maximum advantage from any future development. In addition, a survey is being carried out on the various technologies involved in particular systems of hydrocarbon development. The IIRS have also provided for a number of specialised action programmes designed to assist Irish suppliers on specific problems which they are likely to encounter in a development situation, such as tendering for contracts and meeting the quality assurance requirements for offshore fabrication.

Will the Minister comment on the suggestion that the oil companies have been playing games with us in regard to oil exploration for a number of years and we have been at their mercy? Will the Minister tell the House what negotiations or discussions have taken place between his Department, the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism and the third level institutions in regard to the training of Irish people for the advanced technology required?

I do not believe that the oil companies have been playing games with the Government, or played games with any previous Government. I do not have a complete list of the discussions that have taken place between my Department, or the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism, with the third level institutions in regard to a course of study but I am sure I can get that information for the Deputy.