Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed that the Minister started his reply by stating he has no responsibility for this and that it is a commercial matter for Bord Gáis Éireann. Preliminary results from the analysis carried out by DKM indicate subvention from the State will be required to have gas delivered to the towns of Thurles, Nenagh and Roscrea. According to the report, a sum of €11 million will be required in the case of Thurles, but it is only €3 million if it is linked with Callan and Tipperary town or a cluster of towns.

The Minister should not hide behind Bord Gáis. The Government must put facilities in rural Ireland that facilitate job creation and competition and enable industry to thrive and prosper in those areas. Will the Minister's Department commit money under the national development plan to enable the IDA, which is promoting industry in the area, to put money into those schemes for towns such as Thurles, Nenagh and Roscrea? Will the Government rise to the occasion and ensure there is competitive infrastructure in rural areas like elsewhere in Ireland? Industries such as creameries and bakeries are at a disadvantage of possibly 30% when compared to similar industries in other counties that have the facility of natural gas. Will the Minister indicate that the Government is committed to supplying the funds to enable Bord Gáis, as it wishes and is prepared to do, to provide this infrastructure in north Tipperary?

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