Vol. 457 No. 1
186 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the projected length of time that Bord Gáis will be in a position to supply the Irish market from indigenous resources; if such finite resources are capable of being marketed at prevailing market prices over the next five years or if a mix of imported natural gas will be required for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/95]
It is estimated that Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, will be in a position to supply the Irish market from indigenous resources for the next five years or so. The Kinsale Head and associated Ballycotton gas fields are expected to be depleted within this time-frame, although it is difficult to give an exact date due to technical consideration. From 1995 these indigenous supplies will be supplemented from supplies from the UK. According as those reserves will decrease — and it will become increasingly difficult to produce gas there — BGE will import amounts of gas through the new Ireland interconnector to meet market requirements which cannot be met by the Kinsale Head/Ballycotton fields. In the initial few years after 1995 the UK supplies will be used for power generation and peak demand. With the exception of supplies to the fertiliser industry all supplies are sold at prevailing market prices.
