asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it has been decided by the Electricity Supply Board to erect a hydro-electric plant in West Donegal to serve the Gaeltacht and congested districts; and, if so, if he will state where the plant will be located.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply—West Donegal.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the present generating plant programme does not provide for a hydro-electric station in West Donegal.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Gweedore area has been under examination for suitability in this regard for seven, eight or, perhaps, ten years, and will he say if that scheme has now been abandoned?
I understand that a number of rivers in West Donegal have been surveyed with a view to development for hydro-electric or other plants, as the case may be. It is not correct to say that any scheme has been abandoned. In fact, a decision, as was announced some time ago, has been taken by the board to provide electric current for West Donegal. At present it is proposed to provide the current from other plants rather than from a plant located in any particular area.
So that the hydro-electric scheme has not been definitely turned down.
No scheme has been turned down. The provision of electricity in West Donegal is not dependent on a plant in the area itself.