Vol. 473 No. 1
358 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will list the towns and cities connected to the national gas grid; whether it is for industrial, commercial and/or residential purposes; and if he will include any further extensions which are in the process of being implemented or have been announced. [24601/96]
The Bord Gáis network provides natural gas for industrial-commercial and residential customers in the following cities and towns: Dublin, Swords, Portmarnock, Malahide, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Donabate, Clonee, Dunboyne, Dundalk, Drumcar, Gormanstown, Maynooth, Naas, Newbridge, Leixlip, Greystones, Carlow, Virginia, Cork, Blarney, Midleton, Glanmire, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Clonmel, Celbridge and Sallins.
In addition, Bord Gáis provides natural gas for industrial customers from the transmission network in the following towns-locations: Mallow, Mitchelstown, Cobh, Charleville, Bailieborough, Kingscourt and Mullagh.
Bord Gáis has informed me that it is planning the following network extensions for 1997: Mitchelstown, Mallow, Cobh, Ballyneety, Annacotty, Ashbourne, Clane, Kildare, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Dunleer.
The proposed extensions will cater primarily for residential customers but industrial-commercial interests seeking natural gas will also be provided with service.
At my request Bord Gáis has carried out a detailed investigation of the possibility of a major extension of the natural gas network to a number of areas. The board have recently furnished a detailed report in that regard. I am currently considering the board's report.
