Hats off from Patrick Dunleavy (Station manager), An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, Gregor Alexander (Finance Director SSE plc), Alestair Philip Davies Chief Executive) pictured at the official opening of the SSE Great Island CCGT Power Plant. Pic: Jim Campbell

AN TAOISEACH, Enda Kenny, has told the Echo newspaper that ‘hopefully’ New Ross will eventually benefit from having natural gas supplied to it from the Great Island CCGT power plant which was recently officially opened.

However, speaking to this newspaper at the ceremony Mr. Kenny didn’t offer a Government commitment to ensure the town – located closest to the plant – will have a direct supply of natural gas.

The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of Fine Gael party faithful and Mr. Kenny said he took great pleasure being in attendance at such a significant event.

During the ceremony the focus of attention was very much placed on how Wexford town will benefit from having natural gas pumped directly to it.

However, when asked by the Echo if the Government would give a commitment to ensuring that New Ross will also be part of the gas network from the plant – given that it is strategically located between Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny – Mr. Kenny refused to be drawn.

In response he said he ‘assumed’ that might happen in the future.

Having, again, commented on how Wexford town will benefit from having a natural gas supply Mr. Kenny said: “The same opportunities will apply for all the other towns and I assume that New Ross can be part of that in the future.”

He said that to have natural gas ‘you have to have the support’ of companies that rely on the energy source before making a case to be included in the network.