asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the special rate for electricity which applies for Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Electricity Rate.
37.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that electricity supply to portions of Shannon Airport which is made available through two specific sub-stations is charged for on a maximum demand tariff which is designed for the special needs of large industrial consumers. This tariff was negotiated in 1959 on the basis of the best information available at that time when it was considered that it would be an equitable basis for supply to large airports. Since the advent of computerised methods the board have been in a position to carry out a considerable amount of load research which has shown that this type of tariff is not economic for supply to an airport and for this reason the tariff has not been made available to other airports or for new electricity loads at Shannon Airport.