asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his proposals for the construction of the pipeline to service Dublin city and county with natural gas from the Kinsale gas field; and if he has commissioned engineering reports to ensure that problems associated with the granting of wayleaves will not be inhibiting factors in its construction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gas Pipeline to Dublin.
29.
Feasibility studies on the construction of a gas pipeline from Cork to Dublin are now being carried out by Bord Gáis Éireann at my direction and the exact nature of the design and optimum route will depend on the preliminary phases of these studies. Bord Gáis Éireann have been asked to include in the first phase a report on the wayleaves aspect. It is appropriate to suggest that delays in pursuing this project might arise more from the necessity for ensuring the efficient distribution, marketing and sale of the gas to the large premium market in Dublin rather than to the construction of a pipeline.
Would the Minister agree that he has somewhat given the impression that the decision on this nationally extremely important matter is going to depend on the behaviour of a private company over whom this House has no control? Has he not given the impression that the decision will hinge on the way the Dublin Gas Company will conduct themselves over the next couple of years?
If natural gas were to be piped to Dublin and supplied to the Dublin Gas Company on the basis on which the Gas Company at present operate, the whole operation would be totally uneconomic and could not be contemplated. Therefore changes are necessary in the Dublin Gas Company, the nature of which I have outlined before this. Such changes are necessary before the undertaking of the piping of the gas, which is a very major investment, could be contemplated.
Would the Minister agree that what we are talking about here is the destination of a very major national resource, which is becoming more important every day, and that to throw the decision of what that destination is going to be on the conduct of a relatively small private company may be a national mistake? Has the Minister considered making available to that company any assistance, consultancy or advice of a kind of which they might now stand in need?
Yes, very much so. I have met the management and the representatives of the trade unions concerned and discussed the matter in some detail and what needs to be done. Also I have made arrangements with the Dublin Gas Company for the engagement of consultants with a view to the preparation of the kind of programme which needs to be implemented to occur within six weeks of the engagement of the consultants, which is taking place today or has taken place yesterday. I believe that it is feasible to expect the production of such a programme which, if implemented, would create the situation we want to see. The problem is to establish that that programme when prepared will be implemented. I have indicated that I anticipate that it will require approximately 12 months to gauge whether that is likely to be implemented. If that is so, I would envisage the decision being made to go ahead with the construction of the pipeline.
Deputy Kelly, a final supplementary.
I think Deputy Barry wants to ask a question.
If Deputy Kelly is going to keep the floor all evening——
I would like you to allow me one more.
A final supplementary from Deputy Kelly.
Does the 12-month period which the Minister mentioned imply that there is going to be a possible delay or is he going to make use of that 12 months simultaneously with the negotiations with the Dublin Gas Company over the company's best efforts in order to prepare the ground as well as he can before the construction of this pipeline in the event that he decides to give a go-ahead?
Yes. Some months ago I instructed Bord Gáis Éireann to start the necessary studies for the ascertainment of the optimum route and to have themselves in a position that when given the go they could start with the minimum possible delay the construction of a pipeline. That is under way and will continue to be under way.
Is it true that an Bord Gáis Éireann are charged with the responsibility of distributing and selling natural gas in this country and that if a pipeline were to be constructed to Dublin it is feasible or theoretically possible that the Gas Company in Dublin would be only one of their customers, a fact which would account for only about 7 per cent of the size of the gas field? You could construct a pipeline, you could sell to other people in Dublin. I am a bit disturbed at the threat——
A question, Deputy.
——to the Gas Company—although it is not as great as under the Minister's predecessor—that we hear frequently in this House. I would much prefer if they would sit down and talk to each other. Is it possible that the Gas Company in Dublin need be only one of the customers of Bord Gáis Éireann? They could construct their own network here in the city.
That is theoretically possible.
A final supplementary from Deputy Keating.
I have one brief question in three parts.
Three final supplementaries.
Apart from the attempt to ensure that the Dublin Gas Company are ready to deal with this challenge, has the Minister any fall-back arrangement or any other plans in case the company do not come to a semblance of sufficient order to handle this thing? Secondly, when is the earliest possible time at which he would expect the gas to come on stream? Thirdly, could he give us the name of the consultants who are engaged to do this job?
As regards the first part of the Deputy's question, I must ask him to refresh my memory.
Has the Minister a fall-back? If the Gas Company could not cope with this how would it be dealt with?
We should not try to cross that bridge before we come to it. I am reasonably hopeful that the Dublin Gas Company will rise to the challenge. Even in the absence of natural gas a number of the things that will have to be done for the purpose of receiving natural gas will have to be done anyway or the Dublin Gas Company will close down. It is as simple as that. The second question the Deputy put——
When was the earliest possible date that the customers of the Dublin Gas Company can hope to benefit?
Unfortunately, it will be after the next election.
Unfortunately for whom?
The decision on whether to go ahead with the construction of the pipeline cannot be made in less than 12 months. There are many reasons why it should not go beyond 18 months from now, but from the time that decision is made it is likely to be, I understand, the best part of two to three years before the gas can come on stream in Dublin.
Are we talking about five years?
Roughly.
What is the name of the consultant?
Can the Minister not tell us what it is?
I hesitate to answer that question. I do not think there is any reason why I should not answer it but I have not got notice of it and I would rather check as to whether there is any objection to my answering it. The Dublin Gas Company put forward three names and recommended this one and I have accepted. I do not want to tell it without looking into the matter.