AT MONDAY'S public meeting, Legislative Assembly Member Dick Sawle explained options were being considered in anticipation of potential increased use of FIPASS (Falkland Islands Interim Port and Storage Facility) should two oil rigs be working in Falklands waters in the future.

Left: Oil drill pipes being loaded at FIPASS

MLA Sawle responded to a question from a member of the public who noted concerns about current limited port facilities, and what might happen "...if things go in a certain direction offshore."

MLA Mike Summers commented that it was, "a matter of timing," and the influencing factors involved were not being generated by the Falkland Islands, but the oil industry. He said it was not known whether there would be a second discovery, or if there would be a second rig, and those things, and in turn the degree of increased use of port facilities, needed to be known before concrete actions could be taken and money spent.

Rugby Sin Fronteras visit

Members of the Assembly assured the public that a strongly worded letter had been sent to the organisation making it clear that such behaviour was unacceptable, and should not occur during subsequent visits. However, a Member commented that he believed a visit in the near future was in any case unlikely as the organisation no longer had accommodation in the Islands for the time of their intended visit.