The leader of the Rural Independents Group of TDs says the Green Party leader's decision to deny a permit for drilling off the coast of Cork is "self-sabotaging" and "short-sighted".
Mattie McGrath was speaking after the Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said the government would not be allowing Barryroe Offshore Energy to drill for oil.
Barryroe announced yesterday that it would enter voluntary liquidation after the permit was refused.
Deputy McGrath said the refusal would leave Ireland with no choice but to rely on imported oil and gas which would force the country to engage with "unscrupulous dictators".
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM, Green Party Cllr Oliver Moran says he simply doesn't believe that there is 300 million barrels of oil off the Cork Coast.
"No matter what, the future isn't in oil. Cork's future is in green energy, using offshore wind in Cork harbour that the Port of Cork and the Department of Energy are really involved in developing.
"We have signed this year a memorandum of understanding between the Port of Cork and the Netherlands about developing offshore wind, that's where the future is."
