Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 2

Written Answers. - Electricity and Natural Gas.

John Bruton

Question:

100 Mr. J. Bruton and Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the recent proposals for the achievement of the internal market in the electricity and gas sectors, the European Commission identified the following as obstacles to the achievement of the internal market: (1) the obstruction of the arrival of new entrants to the supply of natural gas and electricity in member states (2) the existence of long term contracts with take or pay clauses in regard to natural gas and (3) the format of accounts of electricity and gas undertakings on a consolidated basis which limits the information available to the public on the efficiency and quality of management of the various operations of these undertakings; and the plans, if any, he has to change any of the practices of Irish electricity and gas undertakings to remove these obstacles identified by the European Commission.

John Bruton

Question:

102 Mr. J. Bruton and Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission is considering provision for third party access to the electricity and natural gas grids in member states; and if he will outline the basis upon which there is third party access to these grids in Ireland and the supply of electricity and/or gas into the grid by private companies.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together.

I am well aware of European Commission's proposals for third party access to gas and electricity grids, and for the removal of what are termed the obstacles to the achievement of the internal market. While I am broadly in favour of the principle of third party access, particularly for major consumers, whenever practicable, and subject, of course, to security of supply considerations, the Commission's proposals in these areas have some way to go before they become effective, and there is at present no formalised right of access. Consideration of the appropriate structures for the future of Ireland's electricity industry is already underway and I will keep the matter in relation to gas under review.