Vol. 475 No. 4
274 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to extend the supply of natural gas beyond Mullagh and Virginia to other towns in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5009/97]
I am informed by Bord Gáis that the board has no plans at this time to extend the natural gas network to other towns in County Cavan. However, Bord Gáis will continue its policy to extend the network where it is considered commercially viable to do so.
A feasibility study of the provision of a North-South natural gas interconnector is nearing completion. No decision has yet been taken to proceed with such a project. Should such a gas pipeline be provided it could facilitate extension of the gas network to a number of areas, including County Cavan.
275 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will include the town of Callan and its industrial estate in County Kilkenny, in any future extension in view of the recent announcement by Bord Gáis to extend natural gas to various towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5093/97]
Bord Gáis has informed me that it has carried out an energy survey of towns in close proximity to the existing gas pipelines over the past six months and that Callan was one of the towns surveyed.
On the basis of the results of the survey and assessments of the potential gas loads to be provided and their associated costs Bord Gáis will evaluate the viability of an extension of the network to Callan.
