asked the Minister for Energy the proposals, if any, he has for extending the natural gas pipeline into County Wexford, and if Wexford Gas Company have made any application to date.

I have been informed by Bord Gáis Eireann that the technical options and costs associated with bringing natural gas to Wexford town are currently being examined. I understand that Bord Gáis have not received a formal application for gas supply from Wexford Gas Company. However, the board have had preliminary discussions with the company and Wexford Gas are co-operating in the technical studies currently underway.

All the answers today seem to be based on economic grounds. However, in view of the collapse of the industrial base in Wexford, who have the highest unemployment rate in the country, would the Minister consider extending the gas line to County Wexford as a matter of priority? In relation to the gas, it seems strange that Wexford Gas Company have not made an application and is it the Minister's intention to contact the gas company?

It is not my intention to contact Wexford Gas Company directly much as I want a Labour seat in Wexford.

The Minister knows he will not get a seat in Wexford and he will not waste his time doing anything for them. The Minister said that decisions are made on purely economic grounds in relation to the supply of natural gas. Perhaps he would tell me how he applies that criterion to Kilkenny as Bord Gáis had refused to supply gas——

It is a simple question of——

Is this another question that the Minister does not want to answer? Who overruled the Bord Gáis decision on economic grounds not to supply gas to Kilkenny?

This question relates to Wexford and we will have to stay there.

It arises out of the Minister's reply. The Minister's colleagues announced that gas will be supplied to Kilkenny——

Reference was made in the question to County Wexford and the Minister confined his remarks to Wexford town. Is it the Minister's intention to extend the grid to County Wexford which is only a few miles from Waterford?

Can anything be done with it in County Wexford?

Yes, Great Island generating station exists.

The examination which will take place will obviously apply to County Wexford as well as to Wexford town.

The Minister should speed up his answers until we get to the generating stations.