Kinsale gas pricing and disclosure
Deputy Bruton sought the price paid for additional gas and whether it was dearer than heavy fuel oil; the Minister refused to disclose commercially confidential details. Deputies challenged the transparency and pace of extraction, including Marathon’s role, while the Minister defended greater use of indigenous gas for economic and environmental reasons.
Can the Minister give details of the price being paid for the extra offtake? If he cannot give that information, can he clarify whether the price at which the ESB are purchasing natural gas is dearer than the cost of heavy fuel oil?
Comment on this
We are in the same league as in the case of the previous question. It has never been the practice to disclose to the House detailed confidential matters of a commercial nature. The first agreement was reached with Marathon when the Deputy's party were in power and the same practice was observed. We have to ensure that we protect the interests of Bord Gáis in all this. It is not possible to disclose those details.
Comment on this
Is it not the case that this is a public resource and that the public have a right to know whether the Minister's decision to run down our gas resource in Kinsale faster than previously is a sensible decision? The Minister is unwilling to give the information needed to assess that.
Comment on this
If we take the global situation into account, we are trying to ensure that we have the best possibility of another find. Secondly, we want to continue down the road of greater reliance on natural indigenous energy resources. Thirdly, we are talking these days in terms of environmental considerations. Surely it is practical to use this indigenous natural resource on an expanding basis, where possible, for economic and environmental reasons. The Deputy will have to trust us on the detail.
Comment on this
Sorry, Deputy Bruton. You must obey the Chair. I wanted to call a representative of The Workers' Party earlier.
Comment on this
My supplementary question to the Minister was based on more or less the same point made by Deputy Bruton. I was a member of Cork County Council who were very much involved when the planning of the Kinsale gas field was being undertaken by Marathon. It was always stated that such information would be made available. Would the Minister agree that it is not in the interests of the people of this State that Marathon have an involvement in the Kinsale gas field? There is a question as to whether Marathon have been doing better than they should have been doing. The gas is only a little distance off the coast of Kinsale and it is only right and proper that we should know what price is being paid to Marathon.