The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, has dismissed claims by Fine Gael and SIPTU that the State will not reap adequate benefits from the fruits of offshore exploration.

The Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation has also welcomed the preliminary findings west of Achill island, and has described the news as a "major boost" to the economy. However, Mr Joey Murrin, KFO chief executive, has warned that a proper code of conduct between the two marine industries, fishing and exploration, must be established.

Mr Murrin also said that, until such time as the proper infrastructure was put in place to upgrade Killybegs as a service port, the fishing industry would retain priority.

Commenting after the reported gas find by Enterprise Oil off the Mayo coast this week, the Fine Gael marine spokesman, Mr Michael Finucane, had criticised the company for failing to employ Irish workers. Fine Gael is also critical of the fact that the only direct revenue accruing to the State from such finds will be a 25 per cent corporation tax, compared to an average rate of 40 per cent worldwide and 75 per cent charged on companies in Norway.

SIPTU, representing some 900 Irish oil workers, has forecast that Scotland will reap the rewards of any find, given that Enterprise Oil is intent on using the Scottish west coast port of Ayr as its main base instead of Foynes. This follows a dispute between Enterprise Oil and SIPTU on the hiring of non-union workers last year.

The Minister said in a statement yesterday that there had "never been a difficulty with employment of Irish workers on production of gas off Kinsale", and there would be "ample scope" for Irish workers to gain employment, and for Irish business to compete successfully, as new opportunities arose on the Corrib Gas Field."