asked the Minister for Energy the progress which has been made with his proposals to make natural gas available for the development of horticultural industries in the north Dublin area; and the steps he is taking to promote the use of this fuel by the horticultural industry nationally.
Written Answers. - Natural Gas.
19.
At present, plans are in hand to make natural gas available to the horticultural sector in north County Dublin. This will be achieved via a spurline to the area from the north-eastern pipeline. To date, Bord Gáis Éireann have concluded gas supply contracts with 20 growers in the area covering a heated glasshouse area of 51.6 acres.
The estimated cost of this project is about £1.5 million. I expect that the board will shortly give their final approval and that natural gas will be available to growers in north County Dublin in time for the 1989-90 growing season.
As regards the promotion of the use of natural gas in the horticultural industry nationally, I must say that realistically such a development is unlikely to occur outside of areas which are adjacent to the natural gas grid. However, BGE are always prepared to consider supplying particular locations where it is economically feasible to do so.