John Browne
Question:24 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to extend the natural gas grid to County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8271/98]
Written Answers. - Natural Gas Network.
Willie Penrose
Question:29 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the decisions, if any, received from the European Commission on the state aid aspect of the proposal for a natural gas trunk line from Dublin to Galway and south to Limerick in view of the fact that additional information has been supplied to the Commission on numerous occasions; if her officials are in contact with the Commission with a view to processing the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8386/98]
Michael Ferris
Question:54 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when natural gas will be supplied to Tipperary town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8388/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 29 and 54 together.
No decision has yet been made by the European Commission on the State aid aspect of the proposal to extend the natural gas network to the midlands and west. The present position is that the Commission recently sought additional information about the proposal. That request is being processed by my Department and a reply will be given to the Commission at an early date.
I am informed by Bord Gáis Éireann that marketing surveys have shown that the required investment in extensions of the natural gas network to Tipperary town and to the principal towns of County Wexford would not meet the board's economic criteria. However, the board will keep the situation under periodic review.