Would the Minister tell the House when he proposes to make up his mind on the districts which the natural gas grid will serve because places such as the west should be informed as soon as possible. Would the Minister agree further that the Limerick-Shannon-Ennis and Galway regions together — which could be served by the same gasline — are equally commercially viable as is, say Dublin city at present?

I appreciate the concern of the Deputy. At this time there is a supply of natural gas in Cork city and Dublin. Discussions are taking place with regard to an onward supply to Belfast. The Government are also agreeable, in principle, to bringing a supply of natural gas to Limerick and Waterford cities where there are gas utilities. When that phase is completed we can then think of other areas for a supply of natural gas.

That does not answer my question. I asked when this decision would be taken. It is not good enough for the Minister to reply that a decision will be taken when, for instance, Limerick city is served.

A question, please, Deputy.

I consider the least that could be done by the Minister — and I should like him to reply specifically to this — is that his Department would decide whether natural gas will ever go to the west. The Minister should tell us if there are no proposals to extend the natural gas grid, for instance, to the Galway area.

At this time there are no proposals to extend natural gas to the west.