In relation to gas, can the Minister tell us if a cost benefit analysis was authorised by him and carried out in relation to the extension of the gas line to the horticultural area of north County Dublin? If a cost benefit analysis was carried out for that project, separate from the one which was carried out for the pipeline from Dublin to Dundalk, can the Minister inform the House whether it showed this to be a serious commercial proposition?

The extension of the pipeline originally envisaged by my predecessor took a line from Finglas through Ashbourne continuing northward avoiding the populated areas of Santry, Swords, Malahide, Rush, Lusk, Skerries, and Balbriggan. In line with Government policy to encourage the development of the horticultural industry the Government decided that the pipeline, rather than going through virgin country, would be redirected to service the horticultural area and the industries, such as the chemical industry, of north County Dublin. A cost benefit analysis is carried out on all these projects as the Deputy is aware but I have not got this one in front of me.

Can the Minister state clearly to the House that a cost benefit analysis was carried out on that part of the project which by coincidence happens to weave its way through his constitutency? Is the Minister saying to the House that a cost benefit analysis was carried out and, if so, will he make it available to Members of this House?

I will bring to the attention of the people living in the horticultural area of north County Dublin and in the towns and also those involved in industry there Deputy Spring's strong reservations on the fact that the Government's policy for the development of the horticultural industry should not be encouraged through the provision of natural gas to that area. I am sure they will be delighted to hear that.

The taxpayers of this country are entitled to know if a preliminary study was authorised by the Minister and carried out. I am saying that no study took place given the speed at which the Minister made this decision and had it passed at Cabinet level. I am asking the Minister to say in this House if the study took place and if so, if he will make it available. I am asking him this question on behalf of the taxpayers of the rest of the country, not of just one specific area which the Minister happens to represent.

The former Tánaiste would be unaware of any decision being made at any speed. That seemed to have been one of the hallmarks of the previous Administration. This Administration are going to take decisions. In looking at the proposal for a revision of the line we took into account a cost benefit analysis.

Is that going to be made available? I challenge the Minister to make it available.

Is it not a question of challenging the Minister to make it available. As the former Tánaiste will be aware, such analyses are always kept confidential within the Department of Finance and the Department undertaking the project.

I would like to say that I have given additional latitude in dealing with Question No. 13 because it has been taken with a number of other questions, particularly Questions Nos. 44 and 46 which are questions which have been nominated today for priority.