I should like to raise a very important point on this Estimate, that is, the oil and gas exploration off the south coast, the setting up of the national gas board and its implications in our concerns, particularly in a county which will be the first to feel the effects and changes that may result from these developments. We have two major concerns, finance and the powers on the Cork County Council and its planning authority, that may be usurped by the national gas board. I am looking for an assurance from somebody, on behalf of the absent Minister, to say that the county council need have no fears in this respect. It is not enough to say that there will be co-operation and that no action will be taken without consultation with the planning authority. In my view, consultation is not enough.
The Cork County Council are in their present position because of the gas finds off our shore. Hopefully, the same thing might apply to any of our maritime countries over the next few years. Can we get a guarantee that, as a county council and a planning authority for the area, our responsibility will cover all aspects of development and that wayleave responsibility will be the planning authority's responsibility rather than that of the gas board, for obvious reasons?
The national gas board will apparently take the gas from the high water mark and the wayleave situation could, if not handled properly, cause problems in the sense that a precedent is then set that could cover water, sewerage, and so on. We also believe that in that area—and this could apply to any other area at a later stage—the social and living conditions of the people will change dramatically, because we all hope there will be extensive development there. With that development, there will be need for major infrastructural work by the provision of major services, such as roads, housing and other necessities. Can we be assured that some arrangements will be made to assist the local body, because it is obvious that the local body cannot bear that financial burden? I am asking this question now because of its effect on a county which has about 250 miles of coast line. This could be the concern and the problem of any other maritime county at a later stage.