Mayo election candidate welcomes gas licence extension

Fine Gael Ballina candidate 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.

Welcoming the announcement, Rouse said "the decision by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan makes environmental and economic sense. Extending the exploration licence to Europa Oil and gas is both sensible and pragmatic."

Hugh Rouse continued, " I see myself as a champion of the environment. As a father of a young family I am a passionate advocate for their future in a clean green carbon neutral environment. But I also live in the real world. Even when wind energy and solar energy provide eighty per cent of our electricity there will always need for either gas or oil to fill the twenty per cent deficit in order to keep the country going."

Rouse, who is contesting the local elections in June stated, "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 . We are experience a cost of living crisis and we are leaving this valuable resource in the ground."

Mayo county councillors voted to support a motion from Europa Oil and Gas last year and Rouse was also on the committee who supported the move.

What further strengthens Rouse's support for the licence extension is the proximity of the new Inishkea gas find to the existing modern onshore facility at Ballinaboy.

"It ensures employment for a further thirty to forty years"