I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 51 together.
On 26 April the Government announced their approval of a proposal by Bord Gáis Éireann to construct a gas pipeline from Dublin to Dundalk. The project will be included as part of a project programme for the development of the Border region for submission to the EC under Regulation 2619/80 as amended by Regulation 3637/85.
No provision has been made in the 1987 Public Capital Programme for this project. It is proposed that construction will commence in early 1988 and be completed by the end of the summer. This schedule takes into account the time required for the acquisition of rights of way.
As part of the planning process for this project Bord Gáis Éireann have undertaken studies of the markets in the various sectors and discussions have been initiated with potential users. Bord Gáis Éireann have identified a total potential market of 30 million therms per annum, the bulk of which is in the industrial sector.
As regards the availability of subsidies to encourage consumers to switch to natural gas, the nature of the incentives, if any, to be provided under this heading still remains to be settled with the EC.