David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. This is quite a serious issue and I thank him for taking it seriously. The pipeline is there and the Inch terminal is there. My information is it can be used for floating storage regasification units. I am not talking about using the caverns under the sea at all. The proposal that has been sent to the Minister's Department involves a floating storage regasification unit moored at the end of the pipeline which could be filled on a regular basis as required. It would act as insurance. The infrastructure is already there so I am asking the Minister to consider it. He should have a look at it and examine it, bearing in mind what he said about the age of the pipeline, the material and so forth. It should be seriously examined because we do not need planning permissions, foreshore licences or anything like that as that has already been done. All we need to do is get the work done to moor this gasification unit onsite and allow the gas to flow if required.

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