Can the Minister tell us what progress has been made in the development and conversion plans of the company? Conversion and development would relate to the mains, which are in poor repair at the moment.

The question seems to be about leaks.

Leaks happen in bad mains. If the mains were converted they would be good mains and there would not be leaks. What progress has been made, if any, to date?

To the best of my knowledge there will not be any delay in relation to the expansion of natural gas supplies. I understand that in a matter of weeks the Gas Company will be holding an extraordinary general meeting to adopt memoranda and articles of association and to get on with the development programme. I do not foresee any delays.

Is the Minister aware that already there has been a delay of more than a year? Can he say with confidence, now that Deputy Cluskey has left him, that the matter will be concluded finally and implemented within a matter of weeks?

We cannot have a discussion on gas conversion on this question.