Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Sep 1995

Vol. 456 No. 2

Written Answers. - Extension of Natural Gas Service.

Tony Killeen

Question:

90 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the discussions, if any, he has had with Bord Gáis Éireann regarding the extension of the natural gas grid to Shannon Town and Shannon Industrial Estate, County Clare; and the outcome of these discussions. [13675/95]

Tony Killeen

Question:

91 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the grant aid, if any, he will make available for the extension of the natural gas service to Shannon, County Clare. [13676/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.

BGE has a statutory obligation to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas on a commercial basis and any proposals for an extension of the gas grid are assessed by the board in the light of that obligation.

Only projects which meet the board's economic criteria are undertaken. In that context, I am anxious that the network should be extended to other areas of the country where that would be commercially viable.

I have received repeated representations seeking extensions of the BGE gas grid to Shannon, County Clare. I have asked the board to investigate the economics of extensions to Shannon, Ennis, Tralee, Galway and other towns and this investigation is ongoing.