asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware of the possibility of a total cessation of the domestic gas supply in Limerick city and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that supplies are maintained, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Question. - Limerick City Gas Supply.
I have seen a press report to the effect that there is a possibility of domestic gas supplies ceasing within a few days in Limerick city. This situation arises because of the industrial dispute affecting the supply of oil by Irish Shell Ltd.
I should mention that this dispute was the subject of a Labour Court recommendation as far back as June of this year. The actual industrial action commenced on 16 October. Subsequent to this a number of conciliation conferences failed to resolve the matters at issue. I requested the Labour Court to mediate in the dispute on 16 November but, regrettably, the settlement terms which were proposed by the court were not acceptable to both parties.
There are certain further developments at present taking place in this dispute and I am hopeful that these will lead to an early settlement. It would not be helpful, in the circumstances, for me to comment further on the matter at this stage since such comment might be prejudicial to the outcome.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Although I appreciate the sensitive nature of the situation, I should like to know if the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy has any contingency plans so that supplies will be maintained.
I should like to tell the Deputy, without referring to any contingency plans, that in the dispute situation to which he referred and which is giving rise to the problem he is concerned about, mediation is still continuing and it is expected that a conciliation conference will take place this afternoon. One cannot forecast the outcome of that conference and because of the delicate nature of the situation I would ask the Deputy not to pursue the matter further at the moment.
I should like to give notice that I intend to raise on the adjournment this evening the subject matter of one of the following questions: Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 11 on the Order Paper for Thursday, 23 November last, and Nos. 1 and 2 on yesterday's Order Paper.
The time has gone during which the Deputy could have made his request, but I will communicate with him during the afternoon.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I should like to have a written reply to Question No. 121 on today's Order Paper.