The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has confirmed he will review the criteria for the connection of rural towns to the natural gas grid.

Minister Denis Naughten confirmed in the Dail that he will look over the plans.

Labour TD for Westmeath, Willie Penrose TD also asked Minietr Naughten what plans are in place to ensure connections to the gas network can be facilitated to other towns and villages in Westmeath.

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Mr Penrose said: "In 2015, the then Commission for Energy Regulation approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network.

"With much talk from the Government on supporting rural Ireland, it's now critical this issue is progressed to ensure towns can benefit by being connected to critical infrastructure.

"An interim report is due by the end of 2017 that will examine the wider costs and benefits of gas network extensions, to include possible climate and decarbonisation aspects, as well as regional and rural development benefits such as supporting rural centres.

"I hope as soon as this review is completed that towns such as Kinnegad, Kilbeggan, Moate, Castlepollard and Delvin can be considered for connected to the national gas grid."

(CD/MH)