Vol. 472 No. 5
81 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to publish the Price Waterhouse study on third party access to the gas interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23622/96]
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provides a statutory basis for the introduction of third party access (TPA) to the natural gas network. Under the Act the Minister's role is two-fold: in cases where BGE and the applicant for TPA fail to agree on terms the Minister or his nominee will resolve the dispute and the Minister can issue general directives in relation to TPA, including pricing.
To acquire the necessary expertise to enable me to carry out my functions under the Act, I appointed Price Waterhouse to advise me on the charging methodology and other conditions relating to the granting of TPA.
I will consider placing the report in the library of the House, but subject to removing commercially sensitive information.
