Michael Ring
Ceist:209 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if An Bord Gáis has decided that gas from the Corrib field in North Mayo will be brought directly to Ballina and Sligo. [22889/01]
Written Answers. - Natural Gas Grid.
Earlier this year, the Government decided in principle that the gas network should be extended to the north west. An evaluation carried out by Bord Gáis has determined that this would require grant aid, as the demand for gas in the long-term would not be sufficient to pay for the capital cost of extending the system. Such grant aid would require State aid clearance from the EU Commission.
Last month the Government announced that it was moving ahead with the next stage in the project, which is to conduct a detailed study on extending the gas network to Sligo via Ballina from the proposed Mayo/Galway pipeline and to Letterkenny from Derry, which is expected to be served by a pipeline from Belfast. Bord Gáis is being asked to carry out this study, the purpose of which is to fully define the pipeline extensions and to give an accurate assessment of the levels of grant aid necessary. At the same time it is proposed to submit a State aid case to the EU Commission.
I am anxious that the detailed study and the State aid case be conducted as soon as possible so that the project can be progressed.