asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the progress on plans to bring natural gas to Tralee and north Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

7.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the proposals he has to extend the natural gas resource to the west of Ireland; if he is aware that the west of Ireland is seriously disadvantaged because of the lack of this resource; and the measures he proposes to take to minimise this disadvantage.

8.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will extend the national gas grid in order to make a supply of natural gas available to Galway city.

9.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if it is intended to extend the national gas pipe line in order to supply County Meath.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

The recent successful completion of the Cork-Dublin pipeline represents the first stage in the development of gas from the Kinsale field. Consideration will now be given to the extension of supplies to other premium market areas where this can be done efficiently and economically.

My next priority is 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.

The extension of supply to other population centres such as Tralee, north Kerry, County Meath, Galway and the west of Ireland which do not have an existing supply of town gas may be examined in the longer term. It would not be realistic to assume a likelihood of supply for several years. I must emphasise that proximity to the main trunk pipelines will be a major factor in determining whether or not it would be economic to supply natural gas to a particular area.

As part of this staged development, I will also be examining the feasibility of extending supply to suitable industrial enterprises along the route of the main trunk pipelines.