Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2007
95 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if gas will be supplied to towns (details supplied) in County Galway; if same has been approved; if An Bord Gáis agreed to the pipeline; when this will happen; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5891/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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.
In 2006, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) directed BGÉ to implement a new Gas Connections Policy, which determines the economic viability of connecting towns to the gas network. The new policy allows for the appraisal of a new town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. Having regard to this new policy, BGÉ carried out a comprehensive review of towns being considered for connection to the national gas network. The review is being conducted in two phases, and phase 1, which covers the towns in the proximity of the Mayo-Galway Pipeline, has already been completed.
Following consideration of this phase of the review, the CER made the decision to allow Bord Gáis to extend the natural gas network to eleven towns along the route of its Mayo-Galway gas transmission pipeline, including Athenry, Craughwell, Headford and Tuam, and it is envisaged that the connection of the eleven towns will take two to three years to complete.
Bord Gáis is continuing its evaluation of the viability of extending the gas network elsewhere to towns in other parts of the country with a view to completing its review by July, 2007. I can advise the Deputy that the towns of Gort, Loughrea and Portumna are being examined as part of this second phase of the Bord Gáis review. Following completion of this study, the CER will consider whether other towns with an economically viable case may be connected.
As regards the methodology employed by BGÉ in its review, including its rationale as to why towns such as Tynagh, Ardrahan, Kinvara and Kilcolgan were not selected for examination, I can advise the Deputy that BGÉ has a dedicated e-mail address, newtowns@bge.ie, for the purpose of dealing with any such queries.
