asked the Minister for Energy if the Government have yet received a report from BP on its reported discovery of natural gas at well 48/18-1 in the Celtic Sea; if the Government have any indication of the level of reserves at the find; the plans the Government have for the development of the field and the use of the gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Well 48/18-1 was spudded on 9 May 1985 and after testing during which it flowed gas at the rate of 13.7 mmcfd was plugged and abandoned on 26 June 1985. BP as operator for the consortium which drilled the well have, of course, furnished their evaluation reports on the gas discovery. An independent assessment has also been made by my own Department. Details of these assessments, which are of a commercial nature, are confidential. At this stage, there are no plans either for the development of the find or for possible uses of the gas.

Could the Minister say if he or his Department have received an evaluation from BP of the find which I understood would take only a matter of weeks from June when the whole thing was leaked in time for the local elections?

Yes, the evaluation has been furnished.

Having had the evaluation for some time, is the Minister in a position to make an assessment of how this find of gas will be used? Will it be by further extension to Northern Ireland as part of the new deal, or will it be used by a petro-chemical industry, possibly NET?

No announcement has been made by my Department because the information is confidential and further discussions have to take place with the operator. In fact, those discussions are taking place at present but it is too early to make any projections as to further usage of the gas.

With regard to evaluations which have been carried out, could the Minister say whether this find is on a par with or greater or lesser than that off Kinsale Head?

I already said that the information is confidential at this stage.

It was not confidential at local election time when we were told that the find was greater than that off Kinsale Head. Perhaps the Minister would comment on that?

I have clarified the situation in relation to that in the House.

Will the Minister tell the House who has taken up Bula Resources interest in this block which they had to forego because of their failure to meet their financial obligations?

That is a separate question.

With respect to the Chair, the question refers to block 48/18-1.

I am aware of that.

I want to know the position and so does everybody else. This seems to be a very touchy subject, as was shown last night.

If I had the information on file I would give it to the Deputy. However, it is not on file in relation to the question I was asked.

The Minister does not know? That is despite the fact that he is in charge and was responsible for the third round. The Minister does know the answer. There is a lot of secrecy behind closed doors. It is no wonder there is public disquiet and concern.

Bula is bubbling.

I am calling the next question.