Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has announced the addition of 11 Galway and Mayo towns to the national gas grid.
Mr Dempsey's announcement follows a campaign by the Western Development Commission and local representatives and comes after consultation with the Commission for Energy Regulation and An Bord Gáis.
The gas will be delivered through a 150 kilometre pipeline built to link the Corrib gas field and the Bord Gáis network in Craughwell, Co Galway.
The main towns to be included in the expansion are Athenry, Ballyhaunis, Ballina, Claremorris, Castlebar, Tuam and Westport.