Vol. 528 No. 1
113 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has discussed with the chairman of the Electricity Supply Board or any of her nominated directors the possibility of the ESB applying for a licence for the construction of a gas powered electricity station at Bellacorrick, Ballina, County Mayo to replace the existing and soon to be defunct turf fired station. [29564/00]
No detailed discussions have taken place in relation to a gas station at Bellacorrick. Clearly with the electricity market now open to competition and due to be fully liberalised in 2005, power generators, including the ESB, will make decisions on investment in new plant based on commercial criteria. I expect that the ESB will be looking at all opportunities which arise including the potential for a new gas station in the west if the conditions are right.
The ESB has recently met representatives of the North Mayo Action Group on this and other matters and I have no doubt that these contacts will continue.
