Phil Hogan
Ceist:62 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the names, duties and rates of remuneration of all public relations consultants or other consultants engaged by her Department from 26 June 1997 to date. [6254/98]
Written Answers - Consultancy Contracts.
There are no public relations consultants engaged by my Department since 26 June 1997. Details of other consultancy contracts awarded since 26 June 1997 are in the following schedule.
|
No. |
Name |
Purpose |
Cost including VAT £ |
|
1. |
Arthur Anderson |
Business process re-engineering training/pilot project |
48,000 (est) |
|
2. |
Printhouse Ltd. |
Computer software development |
28,500 (est) |
|
3. |
Arthur Anderson |
Consultancy study on the Irish National Petroleum Corporation and the oil supply situation in Ireland |
133,100 |
|
4. |
Morgan Stanley, Ltd. |
Financial consultancy services in connection with the proposed Employee Share Ownership Programme in Telecom Éireann |
181,500 (excluding expenses) |
|
5. |
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
Legal consultancy services in connection with the proposed Employee Share Ownership Programme in Telecom Éireann |
108,900 (excluding expenses) |
|
6. |
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd. |
Advisory consultancy in relation the the design and execution of a selection process for the development of telecommunications infrastructure projects aimed at promoting the development of the information society in Ireland |
146,249 (excluding expenses) |
|
7. |
Ewbank Preece O hEocha |
Engineering evaluation of ESB's proposals for the refurbishment of Ferbane power station |
7,744 |
|
8. |
AEA Technology plc, acting through ETSU Oxfordshire, UK. |
Assessment of proposals received under third alternative energy requirement competition (AER III) |
219,512 Stg |
|
9. |
AEA Technology plc. acting through ETSU, Oxfordshire, U.K. |
Assessment of proposals received under fourth alternative energy requirement competition (AER IV) |
81,938 Stg |
|
10. |
WS Atkins, Planning and system underground in the city centre |
Study in connection with proposal to put Dublin light rail Management Consultants Ltd. |
194,613 |
|
11. |
Indecon Economic Consultants |
External evaluator for the Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme |
35,370 |
|
12. |
Arthur Anderson |
Background industry research in relation to the possible sale of TEAM Aer Lingus |
3,935.00 |
|
13. |
Various |
9 Miscellaneous technical studies for the Geological Survey of Ireland/Met Éireann |
13,753 |
|
14. |
Precept Consulting |
Training needs analysis for Met Éireann |
12,100 |
Bernard Allen
Ceist:63 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to bring about the reduction in the price of natural gas in order that Bord Gáis is able to compete when the gas service structures are deregulated. [6271/98]
Bord Gáis Éireann already operates in a highly competitive market and sells natural gas in competition with other fuels. The price of gas moves in line with world energy prices. Gas is and will have to remain competitive with other fuels if it is to retain its market share. BGE has been very successful in coping with this competition and natural gas now accounts for some 20 per cent of our total primary energy requirement.
The key driver of change in the Irish gas industry in future will be the liberalisation of the natural gas market with the introduction of third party access to the gas network. The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provides for the introduction of this new form of competition. Firms consuming more than a specified volume of gas will have the option of purchasing their gas supplies from sources other than BGE and to have the gas transmitted through the BGE network on commercial terms. This form of competition is foreshadowed in a draft EU directive concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas.
The 1995 Act empowers me to give general directives to BGE on standard service transmission and on standard service pricing. In exercise of those powers, I am drafting directives designed to ensure that BGE's charges for third party access to the gas network are fair and reasonable, while at the same time providing BGE with an adequate return on its investment. I will publish the draft directives for comments shortly.
In preparation for the new competition, BGE is engaged in an efficiency and cost reduction programme and is in negotiation with staff and unions on systems and work practices.
The increased competition arising from these measures should lead to a reduction in gas prices. Low energy costs and high end use efficiency are essential ingredients for the competitiveness of the economy.