Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1981

Vol. 330 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mayo Islands Electricity Supply.

436.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy why Clare Island and Inishturk, County Mayo, have not been provided with ESB power.

I have been informed by the ESB that the position on the provision of electricity supply to the islands in question is as follows: it was originally proposed to supply the small number of houses on Inishturk by means of individual generating sets and this was acceptable initially to the islanders. They have recently indicated that this proposal is not acceptable and have asked that a central generating unit be provided. This is being examined by the board and, if approved, would require the design and construction of a low tension network to cover all houses and the erection of a generator house and the specification and purchase of a suitable generator. Allowing for the normal difficulties and delays in construction on these islands the board consider it is unlikely that the system now required could be operative before summer 1983.

With regard to Clare Island, in reply to the Deputy's question of 21 July last it was indicated that provision of supply was dependent on the generator building being completed. While an order has been placed recently with the successful tenderer, building work has not yet started and again, allowing for the delays and difficulties in building on an island site, it is not now expected that the building could be completed and the system operative before the summer of 1982.

Top
Share