asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will outline in detail his plans for the supply of natural gas to the following towns in south Tipperary: (a) Clonmel, (b) Carrick-on-Suir, (c) Cahir, (d) Tipperary, (e) Cashel and (f) Fethard.

As I have already indicated, the next stage in the development of the natural gas network will be to consider the extension of supply to provincial centres which have existing town gas industries, provided of course that it can be demonstrated that it is technically and economically viable to do so.

In the case of the towns mentioned, Clonmel alone has an existing town gas system. Both Bord Gáis Éireann and the Clonmel gas management have carried out engineering and economic studies to define the works necessary for a successful supply to and conversion and development of the Clonmel gas system. The latest engineering study of the Clonmel system was made available to my Department last week and discussions to clarify certain details will be held this week. Subject to satisfaction in these discussions, the way will be clear to have a decision taken by the Government on the proposal to link Clonmel with the Cork-Dublin pipeline. However, the general commercial and administrative arrangements for running the smaller town gas companies are not yet decided. The development of natural gas in provincial centres provides an opportunity for participation by the private sector. Where it is likely to prove economic, a joint venture of private interests, local and national, and public bodies, local and national, will be considered.

For the other towns mentioned, their prospects of developing a proposition to earn an allocation of natural gas clearly depend on the success which attends the plans to bring natural gas to centres which have town gas systems and the technical and economic considerations relevant in each case.

When will the supply of natural gas be made available to Clonmel? Clonmel has gas at present and a lot of work has been done in preparation for a natural gas supply. Could the Minister indicate when the town of Clonmel will have a supply of natural gas?

I cannot indicate that with great certainty. As stated in my reply, the engineering study of the Clonmel system was made available to my Department only last week and discussions are going on this week in relation to the report. It will be sometime yet but, it is hoped, within a year some decision may be taken.

Seeing that Clonmel is situated so close to the pipeline between Cork and Dublin, could the Minister use his good offices to ensure that Clonmel will have a supply of this gas at the earliest possible date?

I take what the Deputy has said. Clonmel is near the pipeline and would be an easier town to consider than other towns further away from the pipeline.

Could the Minister tell us how many other towns in the country have existing gas?

This question is confirmed to a number of main towns, Deputy. Clonmel is one of them. Uimhir 6.

6.