§ 13. Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the future of the the Northern Ireland gas industry.
§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Adam Butler)The future of Northern Ireland gas industry is bound up with the planned supply of natural gas from Kinsale in the Republic of Ireland. Factors involving price and potential market have recently emerged which could adversely affect the prospects for the natural gas project. These factors are now being assessed to determine their long-term significance.
§ Mr. McCuskerWill the Minister accept that that reply will cause disappointment in the gas industry in 1152 Northern Ireland and further afield? Will he also accept that it may well accelerate the drift away from the gas industry, which is at present running at 1 per cent. a month, and that that will further jeopardise any prospect of success? Can he scotch the rumour that the reason for the reconsideration is the unwillingness of the Republic to supply gas, caused by the fact that it has overestimated the supply of gas in Kinsale?
§ Mr. ButlerI am happy to scotch that rumour. Secondly, I agree that we must take a decision as quickly as possible, for the reasons which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, and also because, if we do not, we shall not be able to implement plans for getting gas to Belfast in the latter part of 1985.
Mr. J. Enoch PowellIn retrospect, is it not clear that it was a tragedy that the advice of this party in 1979 to create a gas link with the mainland was not taken?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. It is quite clear from the analysis that has been done that such a link would have been much more expensive.