Glass manufacturer Quinn Glass has welcomed news that the Northern Ireland Executive has committed funding to an important project to supply natural gas to Fermanagh.

Quinn Glass, located in Derrylin co Fermanagh, supplies bottles and jars for 85% of the Irish container glass market and exports approx 500m bottles a year.

Paul O Brien, CEO Quinn Manufacturing Group said: “A natural gas supply will bring benefits to the local community and economy in general.

"The gas will also bring sustainable benefits to our glass business securing both the long term competitiveness of the Derrylin plant and the 400 plus jobs located there.

“A natural gas supply replacing oil firing also has a number of environmental benefits. A pipeline will reduce the number of lorry movements required by the plant and firing on natural gas will improve the carbon footprint of the plant, something we as a company, along with our customers, are continually striving to achieve.”