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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Barryroe licence and money message

Summary

Deputy Smith criticised agricultural and environmental policy and raised the State’s dispute over the Barryroe licence, noting a Bill she had previously introduced. The Minister defended support for family farms and said he would ask the Whip to update her on the prospect of a money message.

The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, was in the Chamber yesterday when we discussed the culling of the herd under a motion brought before the House. On a few occasions, I mentioned the name of Larry Goodman in relation to agricultural policy and how it is impacting on our environment, particularly on our rivers. His name appears again today, like the proverbial bad penny. Lansdowne Oil and Gas corporation is suing the State for at least €100 million because of the denial of a licence to develop Barryroe, of which Mr. Goodman is a major shareholder. I brought a Bill to this House in 2018, and for the past two years I have been waiting for a money message on it. It is called the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018. Had the Government passed that Bill, we would not be facing these fines today. It would have been impossible for any company under that EU charter of energy, which we should not be in. We should pull out of that. It is a bit late now that we are facing fines from a company connected with Goodman for €100 million. What does the Minister have to say about that? When will we get the money message on the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018? We have been waiting two years for it.

Comment on this

The Deputy was the only one to mention anyone's name in the two-hour debate yesterday. My contribution was about how we, as a Government, are working to support family farms across the country and to ensure that farmers and the families that depend on them and the rural economies that depend on them are strongly supported by the Government. That is our focus from an agricultural point of view. On that particular Bill, I will ask the Whip to revert to the Deputy with an update as to when a money message may be provided.

Comment on this