Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 1

Written Answers. - Natural Gas.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

25 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Energy if he will commission and publish independent cost/benefit analysis on the provision of the necessary infrastructure piping to supply natural gas to Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Seán Ryan

Question:

46 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans to extend the supply of natural gas in north Dublin.

Brendan McGahon

Question:

56 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Energy whether the recent extension of the gas pipeline to Dundalk, County Louth, will supply the town gas network in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

86 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Energy if he will take steps to arrange for the supply of natural gas to Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

I intend to take Questions Nos. 25, 46, 56 and 86 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 4, 47 and 55 of 7 December last.

It is my intention that investment contemplated by Bord Gáis Éireann in relation to extension of the gas grid to any particular area should be assessed on a commercial basis.

Assessment of individual projects is a matter for the board itself. In the event of it wishing to proceed with a project the board will, of course, require my consent before undertaking any construction on pipe-laying work. In these circumstances, I do not intend to commission independent studies of individual projects.

The situation in Dundalk is that BGE assessed the possibility of running the town gas grid on a commercial basis and found that it would not be viable. Closure of the private owner was imminent. Accordingly, it has arranged the orderly shutdown of the gas system and former consumers have been supplied with alternative appliances.