230 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the provision of a second gas interconnector from Great Britain; the estimated cost involved; the completion date; when she expects that the pipeline will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2834/02]

Bord Gáis Éireann's application to my Department to construct the second Scotland-Ireland interconnector has met all statutory requirements and I issued consent to construct this pipeline on 21 December 2001. BGE also applied to the UK and Isle of Man for consent to construct in their jurisdictions. BGE has obtained consent from the UK authorities for on-shore works in Scotland and expects to receive remaining consents for the relevant sub-sea elements from the UK and Isle of Man shortly. BGE proposes to begin construction in February 2002 and expects the pipeline to be completed by the end of October 2002. I have been informed that BGE is, at present, on schedule to meet this deadline.