Vol. 372 No. 13
asked the Minister for Energy if, in the light of the plans to extend the natural gas pipeline to County Louth, an assessment of the requirements under the following headings has been made: (1) horticulture, (2) manufacturing (3) service and (4) domestic; if there will be grants or therm unit cost subsidies to assist with installation and conversion costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
51.
asked the Minister for Energy whether a decision has been made on the application submitted regarding the extension of the natural gas pipeline to County Louth; if moneys have been provided in the 1987 capital programme for this work; if negotiations on wayleave have been entered into with the farming community; when the project is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 51 together.
On 26 April the Government announced their approval of a proposal by Bord Gáis Éireann to construct a gas pipeline from Dublin to Dundalk. The project will be included as part of a project programme for the development of the Border region for submission to the EC under Regulation 2619/80 as amended by Regulation 3637/85.
No provision has been made in the 1987 Public Capital Programme for this project. It is proposed that construction will commence in early 1988 and be completed by the end of the summer. This schedule takes into account the time required for the acquisition of rights of way.
As part of the planning process for this project Bord Gáis Éireann have undertaken studies of the markets in the various sectors and discussions have been initiated with potential users. Bord Gáis Éireann have identified a total potential market of 30 million therms per annum, the bulk of which is in the industrial sector.
As regards the availability of subsidies to encourage consumers to switch to natural gas, the nature of the incentives, if any, to be provided under this heading still remains to be settled with the EC.
