I have spoken here in the Dáil about how Ireland can become fuel independent like other parts of the world. Drilling off Barryroe is our biggest hope. The company, Providence, is ready to go but this Government is holding it up. In response to Deputy Mattie McGrath last week, the Tánaiste said that Providence needs to demonstrate its financial capital if it is to be accepted for the next stages of drilling at Ballyroe. This was his second time saying this. He also said it in an interview with The Currency, an online subscription newspaper, in June. What he is saying is completely incorrect. In July 2021, the Department asked the company to demonstrate its financial capability, which it immediately did. Having heard nothing from the Department for nine months, the company wrote to it in March of this year to inquire as to the status of the licence undertaking. The Department wrote back to ask Providence for new financial capability documents as the previous ones were then nine months old. The company immediately provided the Department with the relevant and up-to-date financial capability information. Since then, it has had no response from the Department. Who is misleading the Tánaiste with this information, which he has although no one else seems to? Will he clarify what he is saying about this company or correct the record of the Dáil as to his previous statements?

I am not directly involved in this area. It is a licensing issue between the company and the Department. Despite what some have suggested, it is not a matter for the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to decide yes or no on. It is a licensing matter between the Department officials and the company. As the Deputy pointed out in his remarks, it relates to issues around finance. The company says it is providing information but the Department is not happy with the information that has been provided. My understanding is that is where the matter lies, between the section in the Department and the company.