The meeting was organised by the Dalkey Business Group and the Dalkey Community Council. The meeting was chaired by Bill Hastings and the panel included Kathy Irwin of Irwin Solicitors, Susan McDonnell of the Dalkey Community Council and Jason McChesney of the Dalkey Business Group.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide information to the public about the application by Providence Oil and to inform the public how to make submissions to the Minister for the Environment if they had any concerns. The closing date for submissions is the 2nd February 2012.
The meeting was attended by Taniste Eamon Gilmore, TD Richard Boyd Barrett and various other local councillors. Impassioned speeches were made to the large crowd. There was concern express by a number of people about the possible environmental impacts if the application to start drilling was granted. It should be noted that Providence Oil have only applied at this stage to carry out exploratory works mainly consisting of seismic surveys.
A detailed report on the Meeting with a humourous twist was made by Michael Clifford in the Irish Examiner.
The Morning Ireland clip from Kathy Irwin's speech can be listened to by clicking on this link - Kathy Irwin speech.
Public meeting held in Dalkey Town Hall
The Public meeting was held to discuss the application by Providence Oil to carry out oil and gas explorations about 6km from Dalkey Island.
