Bord Gáis proposes to submit an application for planning approval to An Bord Pleanála in accordance with the Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended, to construct a natural gas pipeline from Curraleigh West, situated to the west of the village of Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary to Midleton Compressor Station, Ballinacurra Co. Cork.

The application will be available for public inspection for a period of seven weeks commencing the 23rd of June 2008.

The Curraleigh West to Midleton pipeline will be approximately 47km in length and will generally follow the route of the existing Cork-Dublin pipeline. Construction is proposed to take place in 2009.

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Bord Gáis Networks has identified the need to construct a new pipeline to meet the increasing demand for natural gas in the Cork area.

The consent of the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has also been sought in respect of this pipeline.

Prior to the finalisation of the route of the pipeline and the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement, Bord Gáis Networks undertook a consultation programme with individual landowners, statutory bodies, environmental organisations and heritage groups.

Two public information events in relation to this project were held in Mitchelstown and Midleton in January 2008 as part of the consultation process.

(JM)