State Papers 1986: Dick Spring gas plan ‘illogical’

Proposals by the energy minister, Dick Spring, to compel the ESB to buy gas from the Kinsale gasfield at uncommercial rates were described as “hopelessly illogical” by the country’s most senior civil servant.

Cabinet papers from 1986 show Mr Spring, the tánaiste, sought government approval for his proposals that the ESB should pay 24p per therm for natural gas from July 1 that year as well as setting a minimum of quantity which it had to buy.

In a briefing note on July 31, 1986, Dermot Nally, the government secretary, advised the taoiseach, that it was “hopelessly illogical” to require the ESB to buy gas at 25p per therm when the market price was around 8p.