Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I know. The Deputy is working very hard at it. The Deputy is not, in all fairness, alone in that regard. The dispersal of the national gas networks is decided on established economic criteria by the regulator. A number of additional towns were linked up last year, the biggest of which is Wexford. The last town admitted for connection is Nenagh. The test applied was not met by Sligo. I accept that it would be a boost to the town and region but the case made locally did not meet the criteria that are well established by the regulator. It is a matter that might be looked at locally.

The note I have on the matter states that the extension of the natural gas network to the town of Macroom, County Cork, was completed in 2012. The regulator approved the extension of the gas network to Cootehill during 2012. This project is currently under construction. Contractual discussions with commercial customers to facilitate the connection of Tuam continued in 2012. The connection of Wexford town to the gas network was approved by the regulator subject to Bord Gáis networks securing contractual commitments from key energy users in the town. The network is being expanded and extended but there is no immediate prospect of the criteria required being met by Sligo.