Austin Deasy
Ceist:35 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Energy if he will request Bord Gáis to extend the national gas grid to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Extension of Gas Grid.
Bord Gáis Éireann have a statutory obligation to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas on a commercial basis. Accordingly, proposals for the extension of the gas grid are a matter for the board themselves to assess in the light of that obligation.
I am advised by the board that they are not, at this time, considering a supply for Dungarvan, County Waterford. The nearest gas supply is 20 miles away, the cost of extending the gas network would be very high and there are no loadsen route which would contribute, in any significant way, towards recovering the infrastructural cost. In these circumstances, the board are satisfied that it would not be economically viable to extend the network to Dungarvan.