Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
339 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the criteria that apply for extensions of gas pipelines from the Corrib field to the towns of Belmullet, Westport, Castlebar, Ballina and others; the position regarding such extensions being approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25953/06]
View answerThe position is that; since 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002.
The CER has recently approved a new Bord Gais Eireann (BGE) connection policy applicable to both the transmission and distribution networks. It is BGE's intention to undertake a review of both a number of towns surveyed in the past and towns not previously surveyed to evaluate potential connections. It is planned that this study will be carried out in two phases over the next twelve months. A timetable and terms of reference are currently being drawn up and once finalised these will be published on the BGE and CER websites. Based on the information available at present; Westport, Castlebar, Ballina and the surrounding areas will fall into the first phase of the study, which is scheduled, for completion in September next. The project is being overseen by the CER.
