Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:96 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans to privatise Tarbert power station, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tarbert Power Station.
As I outlined in my press statement of 26 July last, no plans exist either at departmental or governmental level for the privatisation of Tarbert power station.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:106 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Energy if he will examine the feasibility of extending the natural gas grid to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 loads en 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.