Vol. 533 No. 3
37 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Northern Executive in relation to the development of a gas pipeline from Belfast to Donegal, incorporating the power station at Culkeera in County Derry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7848/01]
There is very close North-South liaison on energy matters, in particularly in the area of gas. The Minister, Deputy O'Rourke, and I have had meetings devoted to energy matters with the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey. Both sides accord a high priority to the North-South dimension of the energy sector. This focus is in keeping with overall Government policy and is being progressed through a consultancy study jointly undertaken by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. This study is examining the energy markets in both parts of the island with a view to achieving an integrated energy market. There are also regular meetings between my officials and those of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland to inform and, where possible, co-ordinate approaches to the energy sectors of both parts of the island.
The question of extending gas supply from Derry to Donegal depends, in the first instance, on the construction of a Belfast-Derry pipeline, which is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration. In this context, BGE and Questar, a US gas pipeline company, have presented to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Belfast proposals in relation to the construction of pipelines between Dublin and Craigavon and on to Belfast and from Belfast to Derry. Minister Empey has indicated that he wishes to take time to consider the proposals in detail. I understand that there is a number of complex issues related to the commerciality of the projects to be considered and that this is likely to take some time. My Department will continue to maintain close contact with the Northern Administration and BGE regarding this issue.
