Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Part of Oral Answers to Questions – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:15 pm on 19 March 2013.

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Photo of Arlene Foster Arlene Foster DUP 2:15, 19 March 2013

I thank the Member for his supplementary.  Indeed, energy costs and the costs of doing business have continued to rise.  It concerns me considerably that a lot of our companies have difficulties with their energy pricing.  That is one of the reasons why I was delighted to see the Executive approve putting up to £32·5 million towards extending the natural gas network to main towns in the west and north-west, including Dungannon. 

An extension of the gas network will provide an alternative, currently cheaper, energy source for business and domestic consumers.  We hope that the Utility Regulator will shortly commence a public consultation on a licence for taking gas to the west and the north-west.  A licence award is expected in or around the end of 2013.  We hope that that will encourage people to take up use of the network that will be there for them, thereby reducing their energy costs.