Vol. 493 No. 3
165 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to extend the supply of natural gas beyond Mullagh and Virginia to other towns in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15963/98]
I am informed by Bord Gáis that supply points for natural gas already exist adjacent to the towns of Bailieborough and Kingscourt where large industrial customers are supplied.
Market studies carried out in the past in various towns did not identify sufficient interest and potential loads to make mains extension projects for such towns economically viable for Bord Gáis Éireann. However, a more up to date internal BGE report on the provision of a natural gas supply to the town of Cavan with a possible spur to Ballyjamesduff is in the course of preparation. BGE would hope to be in a position to assess the economic viability of such an extension within the next few months.
