The decision on a second gas interconnector linking Ireland and Scotland would be made soon, the Taoiseach indicated yesterday.

Mr Ahern said the Government was well aware that, with supplies from the Kinsale Head gas field running down, Ireland would become a net importer of natural gas by 2002. It was accepted, he added, that action would have to be taken immediately.

Mr Ahern was in Cork to open the new headquarters of Bord Gais.

He said the reason the Cabinet had yet to make that decision was its commitment to considering the position of Northern Ireland and the north-west in any decision.

"With the new Corrib line linking into the ring, we would have to look at the position of Sligo, Donegal and Mayo as well. Government officials and officials of Bord Gais have been working on these questions and I think the Cabinet will have the answers to them shortly.

"It's quite clear that we would run into difficulties with gas supplies somewhere around November 2002 if we don't make these decisions very quickly," Mr Ahern said.