asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the plans his Department have in the foreseeable future to extend the natural gas pipeline to north, mid and west Cork.

15.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the plans, if any, his Department have in the foreseeable future to extend the natural gas pipeline to north and south Kerry.

16.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if it is envisaged that a gas line will be provided at any stage for Donegal or any of the western counties.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 15 and 16 together.

My first priority is to ensure completion of the effective planning, construction and commissioning of the Cork-Dublin pipeline, and the other related projects necessary for the success of this essential first stage of the natural gas development projects.

The speed which attends the Dublin-Cork gas pipeline construction will have a bearing on pipelines to other areas. It is hoped to have the Dublin-Cork pipeline completed by December, 1982. Subject to agreement on the sale of gas with the Northern Ireland authorities it may be possible to have the gas pipeline to Belfast completed by December 1983.

I appreciate the information the Minister has given us, but it does not appear, to me at least, that he has answered the question he purported to answer in regard to the various places mentioned. What is he saying with regard to the possibility?

The Dublin-Cork pipeline is my first priority.

That comes first. The questions relate to the possibility of the extension to the other areas mentioned.

All I can say is that the speed with which that is tackled would have a bearing on the extension to other areas.

If in years to come this project should prove competitive in the development of industry, the availability of gas to Dublin could well militate against moves into regions like Donegal. Does the Minister consider that that will create an unfair advantage to developers in the east of the country while we are confronted with existing difficulties in the west?

I agree that with the location of these facilities it would appear to be unfair that certain areas like Donegal would suffer from other disadvantages because of location. I think the Deputy will accept that there are other constraints in the matter of supply to areas like Donegal. However, while we are in favour of balance for the entire country, obviously we will have to look at problems in areas like Donegal in the context of energy distribution throughout the country. It is a difficulty which I think the Deputy appreciates.

Should difficulty arise in years to come, that decision having been taken, would the Minister give an assurance, having regard to the location of Donegal by virtue of which it is far removed from what is envisaged at this stage, that we will get our fair share of what is going?

The location of certain commodities in relation to certain gas supplies will have the attention of this House.

With reference to the industrial development of Kerry, in particular north Kerry, would the Minister give the provisions for the extension of the pipeline to Kerry in conjunction with the overall development of the extension of the pipeline from Cork to Dublin?

Any supply by spare pipeline will have to be taken in the context of the speed with which the Dublin-Cork pipeline is completed.

I said in conjunction.

We will have a look at it. We will get it to Dublin as quickly as we can.

Would the Minister state that we should now formulate plans for the supply to Fermoy, Mallow and Charleville and not wait until the gas pipeline to Dublin is complete?

As I said to other Deputies, the distribution over the entire country will be the next priority as soon as we get over the first stage.

When will south west Cork get their supply of natural gas from Kinsale gasfield?

As soon as we have completed the first stage we will be able to look at other areas of the country.