In view of the fact that the intended direction of the trunk pipeline is near the town of Drogheda — and bearing in mind that the Minister said in reply to an earlier question that areas within the proximity of the trunk pipeline would be served — is it fair for me to assume that County Meath would receive a supply of gas when that trunk line passes?

The actual route of the pipeline north of Dublin has not yet been finalised. I am not sure I understand the Deputy correctly: whether he was asking if it would be possible to supply County Meath; did he mean the town centre or the whole county?

The situation is this, that Drogheda is on the border of County Meath——

A question, Deputy, notwithstanding the fact that you were asked for information.

The Minister gave me an interrogative reply. Arising out of the Minister's query, Drogheda is on the borders of County Meath; for example, Irish Cement is in County Meath——

We cannot allow that. The Deputy could go on for half an hour.

I must stress that, in replying, the Minister said that premium market areas within proximty of the trunk line would receive favourable consideration for a supply of natural gas. I assume that when the trunk line is passing from Dublin to Belfast, County Meath and in particular Cement Roadstone and Tara Mines in Navan, both of which need it very badly, will receive favourable consideration.

In relation especially to Cement Roadstone and the Tara Mines, if a viable proposition can be put to the Department, I will consider that matter once the pipeline is actually there. But until such time as that comes to fruition, we cannot take a decision on it.

Is the Minister aware further that in County Meath in the furniture and carpet industries alone there are approximately 4,500 people employed, that both of those industries incur exceptionally high costs and that a supply of natural gas would be extremely beneficial to them. Would the Minister consider that those industries would also benefit from the supply of natural gas?

In relation to any application by an industry it must be borne in mind that the pricing policy in relation to natural gas is that which is related to heavy fuel oil prices. Therefore each industry or company must consider economies in their own operation by converting to natural gas. It may very well be that a conversion to, say, coal would be more economic.