Vol. 440 No. 8
21 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the situation in relation to the new peat-fired electricity generating station proposed in the National Development Plan, 1994-99; if he has received a completed feasibility study in relation to this project; if so, if this feasibility study shows the project to be viable; and if the finance required from the EU Structural Funds can still be made available for this project.
31 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give an assurance that the peat power generating station promised for the midlands during the last general election will form part of the proposals under the National Development Plan, 1994-99.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 31 together.
The proposal to construct a new 120MW peat-fired power station in the east-midlands is based on a feasibility study commissioned by Bord na Móna. The feasibility study shows the project to be economically viable within certain parameters. The proposal is at present being examined by my Department and no decision has yet been taken on it.
The National Development Plan includes a proposal to provide Structural Funds aid for a peat-fired generation station which the plan identified as a key project in the energy sector. Discussions with the Commission are continuing about the provision of Structural Funds for the proposed peat-fired station.
