Rouse welcomes Corrib gas field licence extension
Hugh Rouse is a Fine Gael candidate for the Ballina Local Electoral Area
Fine Gael candidate in the Ballina electoral area, Hugh Rouse, has welcomed the decision to extend the exploration licence for a large area adjoining the existing Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast.
Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan recently approved a decision to extend the exploration licence to Europa Oil and Gas.
“I see myself as a champion of the environment, and as a father of a young family I am a passionate advocate for their future in a clean green carbon neutral environment,” said Mr Rouse. “But I also live in the real world. Even when wind energy and solar energy provide 80% of our electricity there will always be a need for either gas or oil to fill the 20% deficit in order to keep the country going.”
He said it does not make sense to ignore the resources available to the country during a cost of living crisis.
“It is far better to have our own gas supply off our own shoreline than having to purchase it at an exorbitant cost from the UK, Norway or Vladimir Putin's Russia.
“What further copperfastens my support for the licence extension is the proximity of a new Inishkea gas find to the existing modern onshore facility at Ballinaboy and this ensures the staff employment for a further thirty to forty years."
