Vol. 433 No. 2
106 Ms. McManus asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by the local authorities in Wicklow as to the importance of providing a gas connector to the county and in particular to the urban areas of Wicklow and Arklow, in view of the need for industrial development and high environmental standards.
My office has been in correspondence with Wicklow County Council about the possibility of extension of the natural gas network in County Wicklow. I would point out to the Deputy, however, that Bord Gais Éireann has a statutory obligation to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas on a commercial basis and proposals for the extension of the natural gas grid must be assessed by the Board in the light of that obligation.
Bord Gais currently supplies gas to Bray. I am advised by the Board, however, that the possibility of an extension of the grid to other parts of the county is unlikely in the short term as it would not be financially viable without grant assistance. It is too early at this stage to know if EC assistance will be available for projects relating to extension of the gas transmission system.
