asked the Minister for Energy if he is prepared to sanction the development of a natural gas system for domestic use in the town of Mallow, County Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Natural Gas for Mallow.
2.
It is the responsibility of Bord Gáis Éireann to evaluate proposals for the supply of natural gas to particular consumers or areas.
The Deputy will be aware that the natural gas pipeline has been extended to Ballyclough Co-operative in Mallow which is now receiving a supply. Approaches have been made to BGE by other local industries for a gas supply, and the board will examine the market prospects for the whole area for both the industrial and domestic sectors.
If it is economically viable, the question of distributing gas to the domestic sector in Mallow will be considered. Since, however, there is no domestic gas grid in the town, it would not be realistic to expect supplies in the short term.
Mallow has a population of 8,000 and about 1,500 householders. Is the Minister aware that up to the end of the last war there was the basis of a gas industry in areas undertaken by the urban district council? The basis of supplying gas to the area is already there.
I am not aware that prior to the Second World War there was a gas industry in Mallow but I am sure this and other facts will be taken into consideration when BGE are looking at the question of whether supplying gas to this area is economically viable. All these matters will be examined by Bord Gáis Éireann and I will report to the House in due course.