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Providence gives up on Dalkey foreshore

Tuesday, February 12 15:46:22

Providence Resources has voluntarily surrendered its foreshore licence for its Kish Bank Dalkey Island oil and gas drilling project.

In a statement, the company said that the lack of clarity on its permission meant the company could have been subjected to ongoing legal challenges and undue delays.

This comes after An Taisce alleged in a lawsuit that the Government acted unlawfully in how it granted a foreshore licence to an oil and natural gas exploration firm for the Dalkey Island prospect in Dublin Bay.

In High Court proceedings late last year, An Taisce claimed the Government wrongly concluded an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not required to be carried out prior to awarding the licence to Irish-listed company Providence.

An Taisce claimed that under the relevant EU directive an EIA is required and the decision of September 27th last granting the licence should be quashed. It is also seeking a declaration the Government has failed to properly transpose or implement environmental impact assessment Directive 2011 92 EU into Irish law.

The licence is for an area in the Kish Bank basin and allows Providence carry out a number of activities, including a seismic study, well site survey and the drilling of an exploration well. The edge of the licence area is about 10km from Dalkey island.