Gilmore and Hogan face off over Dublin Bay oil exploration

[PaddyJoe]

This is going to be one to watch:

MINISTER FOR the Environment Phil Hogan has rejected a call by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and others for a public inquiry into a Dublin-based exploration company’s foreshore licence application to survey and drill for oil and gas in Dublin Bay.

Mr Hogan has said that as the application by Providence Resources for survey and drilling work six kilometres off Dalkey Island was the subject of public consultation, he did not consider a public inquiry “necessary”.

Mr Gilmore attended a public meeting in Dalkey on January 23rd, and supported a call by a majority of some 300 people present for a public inquiry into the licence application.

Elaborating on this yesterday, Mr Gilmore said the oral hearing option could be exercised by Mr Hogan, as Minister responsible for the 1933 Foreshore Act. The only such oral hearing held to date under the legislation took place in 1991 over plans for a marina in Dingle, Co Kerry.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0204/1224311251765.html

[C. Flower]

The plan is to sell this place off cheap stratum by stratum.

[Dr. FIVE]

This is going to be great.

Swap Rossport for Dalkey. Shell for Tony O'Reilly.

[PaddyJoe]

This is going to be great.

Swap Rossport for Dalkey. Shell for Tony O'Reilly.

All the ingredients for a no holds barred knock down and drag out dirty political row. This is going to put Gormley and Poolbeg in the halfpenny seats:)

[Dr. FIVE]

The public meeting was 200 with another 100 outside. There will be some interesting battles. Only opposition TD there is RBB but there is also stiff competition on the ground from other dail hopefuls. I have no doubt Gilmore doesn't give a toss but must be seen to be doing something.

Ultimately I would look forward to Hogan getting a bloody nose

[Baron von Biffo]

All the ingredients for a no holds barred knock down and drag out dirty political row. This is going to put Gormley and Poolbeg in the halfpenny seats:)

You're assuming that Gilmore wont roll over. That's like assuming the Sahara will flood.

[Dr. FIVE]

Tony O'Reilly strikes 1bn barrels off Irish coast !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18979540

[Dr. FIVE]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1003/providence-granted-licence-to-drill-off-dalkey-business.html

Foreshore licence has been granted by Jan O'Sullivan

[DCon]

RBB not happy


Boyd Barrett argued in a subsequent statement this afternoon that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been carried out before the foreshore licence was granted.

“It is an absolute disgrace that this licence has been granted," said the statement. "The Department tells us not to worry because if oil or gas is found then Providence will have to apply for another licence and a full EIA will be carried out at that stage. While this is true, there has never been a case in Ireland that a company has found oil with an exploratory licence and then not been granted an extraction licence."

O'Reilly not caring


“People are perfectly entitled to object and if you get your licenses it does not mean you can turn your back on those people. But there has to be a process that has parameters so that it doesn’t go out of control and become a cause celebre for people who really don’t have a vested interest but try and hijack a situation for their own agenda,” he said.

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Providence+Resources+to+drill+well+at+Dalkey+Islan d+prospect/id/19410615-5218-506d-3702-8ac404887416

[PaddyJoe]

Getting interesting:

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have accused the Government of operating lax oil exploration regimes after clearing the way for an energy company to drill just 6km offshore.

An Taisce joined local campaigners in attacking a decision to license Providence Resources to test for reserves on the edge of Dublin Bay - visible from Dalkey and some of the country's most exclusive addresses.

The national trust group said it believes the potential threats to the coast, wildlife and habitats have not been adequately assessed.

"This is the first time that a licence with potential major threats of pollution so close to the shore line has been granted," the group said.
Gawd help us and protect us from all harm.


http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/greens-attack-decision-to-grant-providence-resources-licence-for-oil-exploration-off-dalkey-3249915.html

[Dr. FIVE]

could be 280 million barrels below in Cork

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/New+Barryroe+data+says+Providence+could+recover+28 0m+barrels+of+oil/id/19410615-5218-5075-19e9-90e1d9030535

[DCon]

could be 280 million barrels below in Cork

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/New+Barryroe+data+says+Providence+could+recover+28 0m+barrels+of+oil/id/19410615-5218-5075-19e9-90e1d9030535

they'll definitely want independence if that's true

[Baron von Biffo]

they'll definitely want independence if that's true

Will they grant visas to the Corrib Crusties?

[DCon]

Will they grant visas to the Corrib Crusties?

doubt it.

It will be Cork only. And all Cork descendants

[Apjp]

they'll definitely want independence if that's true

They? The Royal County has plenty of minerals, foodstuffs and what not. O Beautiful Meath..

[DCon]

:)


http://irishelectionliterature.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/gilmoredog1.jpg

[Dr. FIVE]

Good point in the comments here (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1110/breaking2.html#comment-1352538196-356-639)


Dalkey is merely the name given by the oil company as a distraction, focus on a small village instead of the whole coast which it affects

[ang]

An Taisce launches challenge to Dublin-Bay gas-exploration licence -


An Taisce have launched a High Court challenge aimed at overturning the Government's decision to award a foreshore licence to an oil and natural gas exploration firm for the Dalkey Island prospect in Dublin Bay.

An Tasice, which is concerned with the preservation of the national heritage and environment, claims in its proceedings that by holding that no Environmental Impact Assessment was required before awarding the licence to Irish-listed company Providence Resources PLC, the Government has acted unlawfully.

An Taisce claims that and EIA is required under an EU directive, and the decision to grant the licence should be quashed as a result.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/an-taisce-launches-challenge-to-dublin-bay-gas-exploration-licence-578192.html#.UM-ixFVuIgM.twitter

[C. Flower]

An Taisce launches challenge to Dublin-Bay gas-exploration licence -

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/an-taisce-launches-challenge-to-dublin-bay-gas-exploration-licence-578192.html#.UM-ixFVuIgM.twitter

The idea that such a thing could be given a licence without and EIA is astounding.

[simonj]

Lets face it, there is no way that Dalkey votrs will be beaten, bulldozed and bullied like the folks at Rossport

[morticia]

Dalkey voters consume vast amounts of oil and other fossil fuels every year. This is hypocritical nimbyism in the extreme... Extract it in the third world and burn it here, fine, but oh Lordy, we can't have anything nasty spoiling our view....
Sorry, but those who drive two land rovers per family and get 2 foreign holidays per annum really don't have the right to object.

[C. Flower]

Dalkey voters consume vast amounts of oil and other fossil fuels every year. This is hypocritical nimbyism in the extreme... Extract it in the third world and burn it here, fine, but oh Lordy, we can't have anything nasty spoiling our view....
Sorry, but those who drive two land rovers per family and get 2 foreign holidays per annum really don't have the right to object.

Not really about Dalkey though is it ?

In the event of an accident potentially the whole Dublin coast would be affected.

[Dr. FIVE]

http://www.investegate.co.uk/providence-res.-%28pvr%29/one/providence-resources-plc--miscellaneous/20130212150214H7476/


VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF FORESHORE LICENCE
DELAY IN PLANNED PROGRAMME

Providence Resources P.l.c., ("Providence") the London (AIM) and Dublin (ESM) listed oil and gas exploration and appraisal company, announces that it has surrendered the Foreshore Licence ("Licence") granted over an area in the Kish Bank Basin, offshore Dublin. The Licence was awarded by the Foreshore Unit of the Irish Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on 27th September 2012 and permitted the carrying out of a well site survey and the drilling of an exploration well in the Kish Bank Basin, located within Standard Exploration Licence (SEL) 2/11. Providence holds a 50% interest in SEL 2/11 which it operates on behalf of itself and its partner, PSE Seven Heads Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS.

The decision to surrender the Licence was taken by Providence and its partner following discussions with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government when it became clear that there were certain elements of the EU, EIA Directive that were not transposed correctly in 1999 by the Irish Government. The lack of clarity on this issue meant that the Foreshore Licence, and subsequent exploration activities, could have been subjected to ongoing legal challenges and undue delays. The decision to surrender the Foreshore Licence now means that the Minister can move immediately to amend planning and environment regulations thereby ensuring that the Irish regulatory framework complies with the EU Directive. Once this is done, the Company will then be in a position to submit a new application to progress operations in the Kish Bank area.

Commenting on the announcement, Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Providence said:

"Providence complied fully with all environmental and planning regulations in applying for and subsequently receiving the Foreshore Licence. However, failure to transpose EU legislation correctly into Irish Law, by the Irish Government over a decade ago, left the Licence open to legal challenge, which could have resulted in undue delay in the Company carrying out its proposed activities. Whilst it is frustrating that this situation has arisen and caused a delay to our planned activities, we feel it is in the best interests for all concerned to surrender the Licence and allow the Government to make the necessary amendments and we can then make a new application to carry out our planned programme. Despite the delay to the planned drilling activities, we remain very excited about the potential of this exploration prospect."