asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the progress that has been made to provide natural Kinsale gas for Kilkenny city and surrounding areas; and when this gas will be available to consumers in the Kilkenny area.
Written Answers. - Kinsale Gas.
243.
Following the successful completion of the Cork-Dublin pipeline the allocation of a supply of natural gas to the provincial centres which have existing town gas industries would be the next logical step in the development of the premium market for natural gas provided, of course, that both technically and economically viable projects can be planned and executed. For any of these centres, a technical, managerial, marketing and financial plan must be tabled for examination by Bord Gáis Éireann and my Department by the promoters of the project. I must be satisfied that any such projects have a high probability of commercial success, before I will approve an allocation.
Kilkenny Gas have submitted to me a preliminary viability study based on receiving supplies of natural gas. This study which deals only with financial and marketing aspects is still under consideration by BGE and by officials of my Department. However, I anticipate that further detailed technical and economic assessment will be required before any decision can be made on this matter. While it is my intention that this assessment should be completed as soon as can be, Deputies will appreciate that it would not be possible at this stage to indicate any definite time scale for the extension of supply to the Kilkenny area.