asked the Minister for Energy when work on the gas pipeline extension to Drogheda and Dundalk, County Louth, will commence; if an application has been made for EC funding; the present position regarding any such application; if wayleave has been finalised with the farming community; if not completed, when it will be completed; and if he will indicate the line approximately where the pipeline will be laid; if industry generally has been consulted in the Dundalk and Drogheda area; the response to any such consultations; the present position regarding any negotiations that have taken place with Dundalk Gas Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gas Pipeline Extension.
17.
A project programme covering the north east gas pipeline was submitted for consideration under EC Regulation 2619/80, as amended by Regulation 3637/85, in July 1987. The project programme, I understand will be considered at the next meeting of the EC Regional Fund Committee which is scheduled for 24 November 1987.
Subject to a favourable response from the ERDF and to the acquisition of way-leaves within the necessary timeframe I envisage that construction will commence in 1988 and be completed by the end of the year.
The proposed pipeline will run from Abbotstown, County Dublin, north eastwards to Ballough and from there northwards to Drogheda, Dunleer and Dundalk.
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. BGE have identified a total potential market along the route of the pipeline of just under 30 million therms per annum, the bulk of which is in the industrial sector.
Pending consideration of the project programme by the EC Regional Fund Committee, BGE have not entered into negotiations with the Dundalk Gas Company.
Does the Minister hold out any hope of re-negotion with Britain to bring gas supplies to the North? Can he assure the House that the £6 million which has been paid by Britain already has not been given back as requested? Is the Minister aware that 1,700 householders in the Dundalk area are entirely dependent on supplies from the Dundalk Gas Company? In view of the delicate position of that firm can the Minister give an immediate assurance that the takeover by Bord Gáis will take place in the near future?
The question in relation to the cross-Border pipeline is a separate question and if the Deputy puts down a question I would be delighted to answer it. As far as the future of the Dundalk Gas Company is concerned, the Deputy can be assured of my concern, I negotiated the insurance premium of the Dundalk Gas Company with Bord Gáis Éireann and the premium was paid and the service was allowed to continue for a further 12 months. The Deputy can be assured, assuming a positive decision is reached at the meeting of the EC Regional Fund Committee on 24 November, that negotiations will take place with the Dundalk Gas Company.
I thank the Minister for dealing with the problem in regard to the insurance but can he give me an assurance that he will continue to look after it until the takeover is finalised?
The Deputy can be assured that if we are successful in our meeting with the EC Regional Fund Committee on 24 November that, as far as the domestic market is concerned, one of the main markets for Bord Gáis will be Dundalk. It is essential to keep the Dundalk network going and the Deputy can be assured of my continued interest.
We will now move on to Question No. 18.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 20, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 71 together.
Perhaps it is proposed to take extra numbers also. Are Questions Nos. 85 and 86 not included?
Yes, they are.
Let me repeat the questions that will be taken together. We are taking Questions Nos. 18, 20, 62, 63, 64, 65, 71, 85 and 86, together.
On a point of information, a Cheann Comhairle, Question No. 71 which I have tabled has been nominated for priority and as there are only between two and three minutes left of the time allotted for ordinary questions I request that I may be allowed ask supplementaries on this question during the time allotted for priority questions.
I can assure the Deputy that I will strive earnestly to have his question disposed of within the prescribed time.