Written Answers. - Natural Gas Grid.
Michael Ring
Ceist:
438
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
if the gas networks will be made available to major towns in County Mayo for industrial use; and if the gas pipeline will be available for industries in Ballina, County Mayo.
[19776/02]
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:
456
Dr. Cowley
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the position in relation to the construction of the Mayo-Galway gas pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20274/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 456 together.
Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, has obtained statutory consent to construct the Mayo-Galway pipeline, which will link the planned Enterprise Energy Ireland terminal at Bellanboy, County Mayo, with the national ringmain in County Gal way. BGE has advised me that it is awaiting An Bord Pleanála's decision on the terminal before proceeding with construction of the pipeline. An Bord Pleanála is expected to re-open the oral hearing on the matter in late November. I understand that a decision is not expected until sometime in 2003.
The Government has considered a number of options for further extending the gas network into the north west, all of which would require very substantial grant aid, in excess of 85%.
The Government decided in principle that the network should be extended to Sligo via Ballina from the proposed Mayo-Galway pipeline and to Letterkenny from the planned Belfast-Derry pipeline. The Government agreed that it wished to have detailed costings for the extensions before making a decision to commit Exchequer funding to the projects and that, in the event of funding being made available, the projects should be put out to tender.
My Department is pursuing the question of establishing detailed costings for the extensions in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. Following this it will be a matter for the Government to decide whether, and how much, funding is to be allocated.
In relation to other towns, I understand that BGE is interested in building distribution networks in a number of towns on a commercial basis. Other developers may also be interested. It will be a matter for the CER to consider how such towns might be served with gas.
Clearly, the proposed spurline extension to Sligo via Ballina is dependent on the Mayo-Galway pipeline being completed.
