John Bruton
Ceist:325 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has had any correspondence with Meath County Council about the possibility of extending the natural gas network in County Meath.
Written Answers. - Natural Gas Network.
I have had no correspondence with Meath County Council about the possibility of extending the natural gas network in County Meath.
Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) was established with a statutory obligation to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas on a commercial basis. Proposals for the extension of the gas grid are a matter for the board and are assessed by it in the light of that obligation.
I am advised by the board that natural gas is currently available in a number of areas of Meath. The board keeps the possibility of further extensions of the grid under continuous review and has met with Meath County Council to discuss this issue. I understand, however, that BGE has no proposals for extending the grid in County Meath in the short term, as the capital cost involved could not be justified, at this time, on the basis of current and projected market opportunity.