North-South natural gas pipeline
Browne asked whether a joint North-South pipeline supplying British gas would be viable and affordable. O’Malley said supply depended initially on British authorities; preliminary discussions had occurred but were paused pending Britain’s election, and he hoped they would resume.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if, as one of the cross-Border proposals for co-operation with the North of Ireland, the Government would consider the establishment of a joint North-South natural gas pipe line supply from Britain, and if the nature of the proposal would justify the capital cost of such a venture and ensure gas at a reasonable price for consumers.
Comment on this
Opportunities for discussing and reviewing all aspects of energy co-operation exist in the framework of Anglo-Irish co-operation, including the subject raised by the Deputy. A decision to make natural gas available from Britain is in the first instance, however, a matter for the British authorities.
Comment on this
Will the Minister state if any negotiations have taken place and if we have been involved in any way? Has it been indicated to us that such a North-South deal, a truly national deal, would be considered sympathetically in the interests of people North and South?
Comment on this
Very preliminary discussions have taken place about the possibility of gas being supplied by Britain to Ireland. Those discussions had reached only a preliminary stage when the general election in Britain was called. No further discussions can take place until that has been resolved.