Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 8

Written Answers. - Environmental Impact Assessment.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

43 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Energy if a tender is being sought in relation to an environmental impact assessment on the proposed land plant of the proposed sub-marine gas inter-connector between Britain and Ireland; when advertisements for tenders for this environmental impact assessment will be published; the number of weeks to be allowed to companies interested in tendering to prepare their tender; if he has satisfied himself that the time allowed is reasonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

It is intended to seek commercial proposals for an environmental impact study of the onshore element of the Ireland/UK gas interconnector. A list of candidates, who will be invited to prequalify, has been prepared by the project management group. Because of time constraints a general invitation to tender for the study will not be advertised. Nevertheless the project management team are satisfied that all of the principal suitably qualified parties have been identified and will be asked to compete.

A descriptive brief, indicating the scope of work, is being prepared and will be issued in the next week to the candidates invited to prequalify. The time allowed for prequalification will be two weeks and a further two weeks will be allowed for preparation of commercial proposals by those who have been successful in this initial screening process. This time frame has been used in connection with the other major consultancy briefs associated with the project to date and has proved satisfactory to all parties.