Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the coming on stream of gas supplies from the Corrib gas field; the extent to which such supply will contribute to the national demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20412/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Completion of the Corrib gas field development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available.

It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, which began last year, including the construction of a 5km tunnel, will take in the region of three years. First gas cannot therefore reasonably be anticipated before end 2014. In its first four to five years of production, the Corrib Gas Field Development is expected to provide 60% to 65% of Ireland’s natural gas needs.