Vol. 515 No. 2
108 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the exact route for the gas pipeline to extend the natural gas from Dublin to the midlands and west; the major towns along the route which will be served; if she will give an assurance that the pipeline will serve Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5689/00]
I have received an application from Bord Gáis Éireann, seeking approval under section 8 of the Gas Acts, 1976-98 to extend the natural gas grid from Dublin to Galway and onwards to Limerick.
I am examining the application in the light of my obligations under the Gas Acts and also in the context of the emerging regulatory environment for the gas market as it is opened up to competition in line with the EU directive on the internal market in natural gas.
From a shareholder perspective, I will need to be satisfied that the proposed pipeline satisfies normal commercial criteria for the construction of gas pipelines. There is no question of State-funding being provided for the project as there is no provision in the national development plan for funding for gas transmission infrastructure. It is stated explicitly in the plan that the market should be able to cater for the investment needs of the sector.
