Public Meeting with Providence Resources
Thursday 24 March 2011
There was a preliminary public meeting with Providence Resources in the Parochial Hall on Tuesday evening.
Thirty five people took the time to listen to a presentation by Providence CEO Tony O'Reilly Jnr, and to ask a variety of questions. Including O'Reilly, Providence had four representatives at the meeting. Also attending was Derek Reay of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland.
Providence has already received an onshore exploration licence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, and is awaiting an offshore licence from the Department of Energy and Climate Change in London for the 'Rathlin Basin' - a large body of water off the North Antrim coast that stretches well beyond the island.
Questions covered a wide range of issues including the potential infrastructural and environmental impact on the island, the rights of residents and landowners, the responsibilities of an exploration and production company, and the issue of UK and EU environmental regulations. Providence also made clear assurances that they would keep the island community informed of developments over the coming months, and throughout the ongoing process.