Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
April 2012 inclusive. In accordance with the rules for the payment of retired public servants,
he will be paid under the “abatement principle” which provides for the abatement of pension
for civil service pensioners who are re-employed in the civil service such that the pensioner’s
total income from pay and pension for the period should not exceed the salary which would
be payable had the civil servant not retired. Travel and subsistence costs will also be paid in
accordance with standard rates.
Energy Resources
405. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources his views on a matter (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and
if he will make a statement on the matter. [8413/12]
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): Iam
aware of the report of the SIPTU Oil and Gas Review Group and I welcome its contribution
to the wider debate on how best to maximise the benefits to Ireland from the exploration and
production of our indigenous oil and gas resources.
There have only been four commercial gas discoveries and no commercial oil discoveries
since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s. As a result the petroleum potential
of the Irish offshore is largely unproven and this is likely to remain the case until there is a
significant increase in the level of exploration activity and in particular in the number of exploration
wells drilled. At this point in time, I believe that the focus should be on attracting a larger
share of mobile international exploration investment to Ireland in order to increase the chances
of new commercial discoveries being made.
Departmental Staff
406. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources if he will outline on a yearly basis from 2008 to 2015 in respect of staff leaving the
public service in his Department; the cost of lump sums; the cost of severance payments; the
cost of pensions of those leaving the service through retirement or other means; the loss of the
pension levy from employees who have left; the loss of superannuation payments from retired
or departed employees, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8432/12]
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): It is
not possible to provide the information requested in the timeframe allowed but my Department
will provide it directly to the Deputy shortly. This information will cover the years 2008 to date
only as it cannot be predicted what, if any, retirements will occur in future years and what
associated entitlements will arise.
Natural Gas Network
407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources if further consideration will be given to the request to extend a natural gas supply
to a centre (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [8472/12]
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): The
development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial
matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to
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