Cecilia Keaveney
Question:98 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views in relation to recommendation 1.3.7 of the Donegal task force initiative report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23081/99]
Written Answers. - Task Force Report.
I refer the Deputy to my reply of 5 October last in which I outlined my response to the many recommendations contained in the report.
Work is progressing on three co-funded telecommunications projects being undertaken by Eircom and Esat Telecom in Donegal. These projects will support the development of advanced communications networks and services in the county.
Esat Telecom will roll-out fibre optic cable in ten urban areas in the State, including Letterkenny. Eircom will install a 95 kilometre high capacity fibre optic cable along the west coast of Donegal, from Bunbeg to Donegal town and from Dunfanaghy to Falcarragh serving all communities – up to 71,000 people – along the route. Eircom will also upgrade communications infrastructure links from Moville by installing 20 kilometres of fibre optic cable and associated equipment from Quigley's point to Moville, thus making Moville a broadband access node. I understand that both companies have signed contracts for these projects and that they must be completed by 31 December 2000.
Eircom is also planning to provide 0.3 million euros from its own resources to help establish two technology information communication centres in Donegal which will provide IT and telecommunications services for local communities and businesses.
As I mentioned in my reply to a similar question, No. 154 of 5 October 1999, the ESB's study of the supply options in the north-west is still ongoing and will set out the best option for strengthening the networks and their interconnection with Northern Ireland Electricity.
The NIE was also recently successful in obtaining Trans-European Energy Network funding for a similar study in relation to its network. The ESB, together with the NIE, will continue to keep the question of further interconnection under active review.
The prospects for the gas find in the Corrib field look promising though the consortium involved has indicated that further appraisals will have to be carried out before a decision can be taken on whether the field is to be developed commercially. I have urged the consortium to clarify its intentions as quickly as possible. Until there is more certainty about these events, it is not possible to say what their potential impact on gas supplies to Donegal would be.