asked the Minister for Energy if he will consider setting up a co-ordinating body in County Louth to prepare for the advent of natural gas to the area and the Dublin to Belfast gas line.

The agency which has been established by the Oireachtas to provide advice in relation to natural supplies is Bord Gáis Éireann. Groups who are interested in the distribution of natural gas in the area should, therefore, contact BGE who will advise them on the planning studies necessary to establish the viability of individual projects.

Would the Minister not think it would be advisable to have proper co-ordination of the necessary plans for the usage of the natural gas in order to ascertain the various industries which would benefit most from its availability. Furthermore, for the normal network of piping for domestic supplies along the way would the Minister not agree it would be necessary to have a co-ordinating body in order to ensure that they are all at one in relation to it?

That is the function of Bord Gáis Éireann. They were established by the Oireachtas to provide advice in relation to natural gas supplies. In this instance I would not like to see another co-ordinating body. Bord Gáis Éireann were set up with this specific function, they are in a position to give the advice and it would be better that we allow them to do so.

4.