asked the Minister for Energy the plans, if any, he has to extend the natural gas pipeline by spur to the town of Ardee, County Louth which is only six miles from the pipeline due to be installed in County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to the high level of unemployment in the Ardee area; whether omitting Ardee will further restrict the prospects of attracting industry to Ardee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Natural Gas Pipeline.
80.
The Northeastern natural gas pipeline will run from Dublin to Dundalk via Dunleer and Drogheda. At this stage there are no plans to extend the pipeline to Ardee. Any further extensions of the pipeline to areas such as Ardee will depend on the economic viability of such a project. I have asked Bord Gáis Éireann for their views on the viability of extending the pipeline to Ardee.
I am confident that the extension of the pipeline as far as Dundalk will prove an asset in attracting new industrial and commercial opportunities to the area as well as securing the continued development of existing industries.