I move:
That the Dublin Gas Order 1969, proposed to be made by the Minister for Transport and Power and laid in draft before Dáil Éireann on 25th June, 1969 under subsection (4) of section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, be approved.
Gas undertakings generally operate under special Acts which authorise them to manufacture and distribute gas in certain specific areas. Modifications to these special Acts required by the undertakings from time to time are made under section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920 which enables me to make by order the required modifications. Before an order of this kind is made it has to be laid in draft before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Houses of the Oireachtas may, by resolution, approve the draft order in the form submitted or may approve it with modifications or additions. When such approval is given I may make the order in the form in which it has been approved.
In 1954 an order was made which gave the Alliance and Dublin Consumers' Gas Company power to appoint either the Chief Engineer, the General Manager or the Secretary of the Company as a director of the company. The General Manager is now on the Board of Directors but the company wish to have the power to appoint the Chief Engineer and the Secretary as directors also. These officers hold divisional responsibility in the company's organisation and the company feel that, to give them stronger status, it is desirable that they should be permitted to be on the board. The order now laid in draft before the House will give the company the necessary authority to make these appointments whenever they see fit to do so.
Notice of the proposed order was published by the company in Iris Oifigiúil and in a daily newspaper. Copies of the draft order were sent to the public and local authorities concerned. No objection to the proposed order was received. I am satisfied as to the need for the order and that there is nothing in it repugnant to the public interest. I, therefore, recommend the order for the approval of the House.