Ireland can be net exporter of gas, says Ahern

IRELAND has the capacity to become self-sufficient in natural gas and to become a net gas exporter Energy Minister Dermot Ahern said yesterday.

Mr Ahern said Ireland could be producing 70% of its requirements for natural gas in four years.

Speaking during a visit to the Ramco-owned Seven Heads gas field off the Cork coast, Mr Ahern said it was vital to our national interests that we produced as much energy from indigenous resources as possible.