Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 1

Written Answers. - Natural Gas Grid.

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

89 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to extend the natural gas supply to County Donegal in view of the gas find off the west coast; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5393/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob):

The results of appraisal tests in the Corrib field off the west coast have been encouraging so far. The consortium involved has indicated that the results of further tests to be carried out this year will be required before they will be in a position to take a final decision on whether the field is to be developed commercially.

If the Corrib field is to be developed commercially, decisions in relation to pipeline configurations to bring the gas to market will be made by market players on the basis of commercial criteria. There is no provision in the national development plan for funding for gas transmission infrastructure. Indeed the plan states that in the emerging competitive framework for natural gas, the market should be able to cater for the investment needs of the sector.