Natural gas network and reserve announcements
The Minister said proven commercial Celtic Sea reserves would prompt consideration of expanding the gas grid. Asked about a Government spokesman’s claims of a major find and the risk of misleading investors, he said established announcement procedures had been followed; a Deputy then asked him to explain those procedures.
asked the Minister for Energy if, in view of the indications for some time that there are more natural gas reserves in the Celtic Sea, he will now bring forward a plan for an expanded natural gas network linking major towns and cities throughout the State.
Comment on this
In the event that commercially recoverable reserves of natural gas in the Celtic Sea are proven one of my first priorities would be to examine the economic potential for further expansion of the natural gas grid. Other users for the gas would, of course, also have to be considered.
Comment on this
Does the Minister agree that it was wrong for a Government spokesman to hype up the announcement over the weekend because it could have been the cause of investors losing a fortune on the Stock Exchange, as happened on another occasion? Thankfully, on this occasion the people knew more than the Government spokesman, who was talking about a £10 billion gas find in the Celtic Sea. Does the Minister condemn that approach?
Comment on this
The procedures regarding any announcement made in relation to the offshore programme or the discovery of hydrocarbons is well laid down and has been adhered to by the Department and Ministers over the years. It is my intention to do likewise and the Deputy can be assured of my bona fides in that regard.
