Natural Gas will be brought to Wexford

October 1981

It now seems virtually certain that Wexford will benefit from the natural gas found off the Co. Cork coastline.

Minister for Energy, Mr. Michael O’leary, indicated last week that the town will be one of those serviced by a spur from the main line between Cork and Dublin.

Piping the natural gas to Wexford will provide a tremendous boost for the town’s economy. A top Co. Council official greeted the news by saying it was a significant and positive development for the town.

And the local gas company said it was marvellous news which could only do good for Wexford.

Since the gas was first discovered off Kinsale, various interests in Wexford have been lobbying for the town to be included on the pipeline. Foremost among them were Wexford Co. Council, Wexford Corporation, and SERDO.

They got their way last week when the Minister announced at a Dublin press conference that Wexford would be included.

He was asked specifically by a reporter from a daily newspaper if Wexford is to get the gas, and he replied that it is.

And this week, a high-ranking civil servant in the Department of Energy, Mr Bart Cronin, said it was

‘absolutely logical’ that Wexford should receive the natural gas.

He said the main emphasis at the moment in on the main link from Cork to Dublin, and when work has started on that, the possibilities for elsewhere in the country will be considered.

‘It is every likely that Wexford will get the gas. It already has a mains upply and it is certainly one of the towns we will be looking at,’ he said.