Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Natural Gas Grid.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

145 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position with the Mayo-Galway gas pipeline project; if she will describe the project; when it is due to commence; and if she will estimate the numbers expected to be employed. [12552/01]

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

My Department is currently evaluating a proposal from Bord Gáis Éireann for the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Mayo-Galway.

BGE has advised that, subject to acquiring the necessary statutory consents, they plan to commence construction work on the Mayo-Galway gas pipeline in early 2002 and to complete the project in 2003. The pipeline will transport indigenous natural gas from the gas field off the Mayo coast to link up in east Galway with other proposed large infrastructural pipeline projects of Bord Gáis, the gas pipeline to the west.

The proposed 650 mm diameter steel pipeline, which is 150 km in length, takes a cross-country route southwards from Pollatomish in north west Mayo to Craughwell in east Galway.

BGE anticipate that up to 300 people will be employed during the construction phase of this proposed pipeline.