Bord Gáis has announced the completion of the South-North Gas Pipeline and its use by homes and businesses in towns along its route.

The 156km South-North transmission gas pipeline was constructed during 2006. It runs from Gormanston in Co Meath to Ballyclare in Co Antrim, where it ties in with the Bord Gáis North-West pipeline from Belfast to Derry city, connecting the gas grids throughout the island.

Firmus energy, a subsidiary of Bord Gáis, won the licences to bring natural gas to towns along the routes of these pipelines.

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Ed O'Connell, Chairman of Bord Gáis, said: "Northern Ireland is a very important part of the Bord Gáis business. Last year, a quarter of all the gas transported by Bord Gáis was transported on behalf of gas users in Northern Ireland.

"Our investment in gas infrastructure in Northern Ireland will be over £200 million pounds sterling by 2010, with another £50 million pounds earmarked for further investment in the ongoing roll-out of the gas distribution networks in the towns post 2010."

The overall cost of the two transmission pipelines, including spurs to serve nearby towns, was approximately £175 million.

The provision of a £38 million grant from the Northern Ireland Executive was essential to the viability of the two transmission pipelines, of which £8.5 million (€12.7 million) was paid by the Irish Government upon completion of the project.

(GK/JM)