I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 10, 12 and 90 together.
Planning for this gas interconnector is now at an advanced stage. There are various aspects to the project which are scheduled for execution at different times throughout the period up to the target completion date in October 1993.
The pipeline route will run from North County Dublin to Moffat in Southern Scotland and engineering design is now well under way.
I expect to put the project before the Government for final approval soon so that the major procurement and construction contracts can be placed. Construction should commence in March 1993. Notices on the forthcoming award of contracts have been placed in the Official Journal of the European Communities in compliance with the procedures laid down in the EC Directives on Public Procurement.
A formal application has been made for assistance under the European Commission's REGEN initiatives, but no decision has yet been taken on the amount of the allocation to the Irish project.
It is the Government's intention that the pipeline will be controlled and operated by Bord Gáis Éireann. An initial effect of the availability of the inter-connector pipeline will be a guarantee of supplies, both short and long term, irrespective of the results of the new drilling programme I announced a few days ago, and to ensure back-up supplies. The imported gas, initially, will be used mainly for electricity generation, but as indigenous reserves are depleted, increasing amounts will go to BGE's other markets. Gas will be distributed via Bord Gáis's distribution network.
The issue of third party access is currently the subject of intensive discussion within the EC. These discussions may well, in time, translate into policy decisions on access which would, in turn, affect the way in which the pipeline was operated.
As the electricity sector in Northern Ireland is about to be privatised, gas may be used to fuel one or more of the power stations there. The possibility of a Northern Ireland link with our project would, therefore, be a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities and the eventual owners of the power stations to decide on. My Department maintain close contact with the Northern Ireland authorities on the question.
Concerning the new drilling programme already mentioned, I have substantially reached agreement with Marathon Ireland, Ltd., on a new programme of exploration activity to cover the period 1992 to 1996. In addition, Marathon and BGE have almost reached agreement on an arrangement for additional gas production from Kinsale Head through the installation of enhanced compression facilities.