Vol. 482 No. 6
160 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the reason no third party has access to the Natural Gas Network as provided in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995 to date in 1997; and the proposals, if any, she has to ensure this access through revised legislation or by other means. [18620/97]
The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provides a framework for third party access to the gas network of Bord Gáis Éireann.
BGE has informed me that it is involved in detailed negotiations or discussions with a number of eligible customers and that the negotiations have reached an advanced stage with one particular customer. Generally, the negotiations relate not only to the price to be charged for third party access but also to a range of operational aspects.
On the latter aspects, BGE has carried out a substantial amount of work on the drafting of a code of operations and is still having consultations with interested parties. The code will facilitate the efficient and safe management of the gas transmission network in the context of the third party access regime. The code will be a detailed document governing the general relationship between BGE, as gas transmitter, and the various users of the third party access facility and will deal with such matters as capacity booking and gas balancing rules. BGE has informed me that it hopes to finalise the code early next year and that in the meantime, third party access can be availed of on the basis of an interim version of the code of operations. In this context, BGE has been flowing gas through its pipeline network in Scotland on a third party basis for over a year.
In addition, BGE is discussing with BG Transco, the operator of the UK gas transmission network, arrangements for the offtake of gas from the UK terminal of the Ireland-UK gas interconnector at Moffat, Scotland. Many of these issues involve arrangements under the UK Gas Network Code.
I am satisfied that BGE is making progress and that there has been no delay in drawing up the necessary and complex arrangements for the implementation of the third party access regime. My Department is monitoring the ongoing situation closely and will be prepared to intervene if necessary.
Pursuant to the provisions of the 1995 Act, my Department has drafted general ministerial directives relating to standard service transmissions and standard service pricing. The drafts are currently being examined by the Attorney General's office and the views of interested parties on the drafts will be invited as soon as possible.
