Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed a report by the Western Development Commission on the extension of the natural gas infrastructure, which would save businesses in Leitrim and Roscommon close to €11m/year.

On top of this local households could connect to the gas network and see their annual energy bill reduced by €485.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) report makes a strong case for the extension of the natural gas pipeline to the towns of Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen.

Within the region covered by the WDC study, the town with the most to gain is Carrick-on-Shannon, which would benefit by over €7m/year if it were to get access to the gas network, when compared with the cost of existing energy supplies such as oil based fuels and electricity.

Based on an analysis of the WDC report the extension of the network would save business in the town of Ballaghaderreen €2.5m/year, Boyle €180,000/year, with Roscommon Town and Strokestown businesses benefiting by a sum of €930 000 and €125, 000 respectively.

“Such savings for local business would not only protect existing jobs, but also make these towns attractive to future investment by Irish or international companies,” said Denis Naughten.

“This report clearly shows that any sale of energy infrastructure in this country should see a proportion reinvested by Government to roll out gas to business and homes in local towns. Without such a commitment business faces higher energy costs and significantly higher carbon tax charges than many of their competitors,” concluded Denis Naughten.

For further information see wdc.ie