andMr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if, in view of the recent increases in energy cost, he is reviewing the current use and consumption of natural gas from the Kinsale Head gas field and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Natural Gas.
23.
andMr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if he has received representations concerning the construction of a national gas pipeline connecting the major centres of population in the State with the natural gas field off Kinsale, if so, (1) the cost of the grid in current capital terms, (2) the cost of the grid as a percentage of the current value of the gas field, (3) the number of jobs which would be created in the construction of the grid, (4) the period of construction of the grid linking Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Drogheda, Wicklow and Dundalk and (5) the percentage of the population which would be within reasonable access of such a grid were it constructed.
45.
asked the Minister for Energy whether he has received the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Town Gas Industry, and, if so, whether he proposes to publish it.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 23, 24 and 45 together.
The Inter-Departmental Committee referred to have been reviewing in detail the operations of the Town Gas Industry. I understand that the committee have considered the natural gas possibilities in that context. I am advised that the report is substantially completed and, subject only to settlement of some minor points of detail, I expect to receive it at a very early date.
After the report has been submitted to me it will be studied by me and by the Government and the various energy and economic policy issues raised by the Deputies will be fully taken into account. The question of publication of the report will also be considered.
When the process of study and review of the report has been completed, future policy to be adopted by the Government in relation to the use of Kinsale Head gas and the possible extension of the existing natural gas network will be stated.
Can the Minister give any indication of the time scale envisaged because on the basis of his reply the situation appears to be that it may be for years and it may be forever before any satisfactory solution to this gas problem is reached?
The only time scale I can indicate to the Deputy relates to the inter-departmental committee report which I expect to receive within a matter of weeks, if not days. The Deputy may take it that, subject to the constraints involved—and not all of these are related to the governmental processing of them because there are certain other factors external to the Government which must be considered—it would be my wish to be in a position to have the necessary steps taken as soon as possible.