§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of demand is considered necessary to maintain a viable gas industry in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerLevel of demand is only one of a number of factors that would influence the viability of a gas industry in Northern Ireland. Other determinants would be the terms on which gas might be made available from the Republic of Ireland and the capital and operating costs of the industry. Planning studies envisage that the demand for natural gas in Northern Ireland could be reflected in a level of sales which would eventually be approximately six times the present level of sales of towns gas.