asked the Minister for Energy whether the capital contribution of £5 million sterling provided for in the agreement between the British and Irish Governments of October 1983 was received by the Irish Government; and if, in the absence of agreement not to proceed with the Dublin-Belfast gas pipeline, it is the intention of the Irish Government to keep this sum.
Written Answers. - Dublin-Belfast Gas Pipeline Agreement.
495.
The capital contribution provided for in the agreement of October 1983 was received by the Irish Government shortly afterwards. That sum was intended to assist with the cost of building a pipeline to the Border and, indeed, significant costs had been incurred or committed on the project at the time the British Government first indicated that they were unwilling to proceed. That decision not to proceed was a unilateral one by the British Government and the Irish Government for its part has maintained its willingness to go ahead with the agreement reached in October 1983. As the Irish Government has not agreed that the project should not go ahead, there is no obligation on the Government to refund that capital contribution to the British authorities.