7th October 2002

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Sinn Fein To Raise Issue Of Exploration Licences

Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD has indicated that the party will raise the issue of former Energy and Communications Minister Ray Burke's role in the issuing of oil and gas exploration licences when the Dáil meets to discuss the fall-out from the Interim Report of the Flood Tribunal on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Ferris;

``The 1987 changes made by Burke in the terms on offer to the multi nationals were so radical and took place in such circumstances as to warrant similar scrutiny as that already devoted to his role in planning and other matters. By effectively abolishing the State's financial interest in the massive reserves that lie off its shores, Burke at the very least made a huge political and economic blunder. At worst it calls into question the nature of his and Fianna Fáil's relationship with the oil and gas multi nationals''.

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