73 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has had discussions with Bord Gáis in relation to the expansion of the availability of the gas pipeline to Kerry. [2928/02]

74 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if natural gas will be made available to the ESB power station in Tarbert, County Kerry. [2929/02]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.

Under the Gas Acts, 1976 to 2000, Bord Gáis Éireann has statutory responsibility to develop and maintain an efficient and cost effective gas transmission and distribution system. Extensions to the transmission system require my consent whereas extensions of the distribution network fall exclusively within the day-to-day responsibilities of the board. I have no requests for consent regarding Kerry at this stage.

The question of whether the use of gas in Tarbert power station would be commercially viable in a competitive electricity market is one for the ESB in the first instance and I am not aware that it has any plans to that end at present. BGÉ's current development programme will bring gas transmission capacity to within approximately 20 miles of the station.

Previous studies by BGÉ have concluded that the cost of taking gas to Kerry would not be a financially viable project. Any future proposal that would bring gas to Tarbert would clearly stimulate a fresh look at onward extensions from there to any location where significant demand seemed likely. BGÉ continuously monitors areas with potential loads that would justify grid extensions.