Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 25, lines 40 to 42, to delete all words from and including “—” in line 40 down to and including “refusal” in line 42 and substitute the following:“consult the Minister, the Commission and the Board and where the majority-shareholding Minister refuses consent, he or she shall provide reasons for the refusal”.

The amendment is technical and is proposed in the interest of ensuring clarity with regard to steps the majority shareholding Minister must take in the event that he or she intends to refuse consent for an investment in a pipeline development. It clarifies that, in advance of taking a final decision, he or she must consult the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Minister with responsibility for energy, having regard to their respective roles in relation to ensuring the security and competitiveness of gas supplies. It also clarifies that if, following this consultation, the majority shareholding Minister refuses consent, he or she must provide a reason for doing so.