Indigenous natural resources are key to Ireland’s energy independence

On December 12, 1967, the then Minister for Industry and Commerce, George Colley, introduced the Continental Shelf Bill to the Dáil to general bemusement, such was our understanding of Ireland’s offshore oil and gas potential at the time.

We now know that our continental shelf, the underwater extension of the Irish landmass, contains areas with the potential to provide energy independence and security.

Irish offshore exploration commenced two years later and the Kinsale Head gas field was discovered in 1971.