Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply and I send him best wishes for the new year and his last full year as Minister. The Minister referred to 50% of non-daily metered customer requirements being supplied by Kinsale. What does that mean? How much natural gas would this country have in the event of what happened between Russia and the Ukraine, which only lasted for a day or two, continuing and becoming much worse? The UK is completely integrated into the European gas network, effectively at the end of the pipe increasingly supplied by Russia. How long could we survive on Kinsale gas if another grave crisis occurred?

It has been European Union policy since last year to urge all member states to have a strategic gas reserve. What attitude did the Minister take in 2004 at the EU Council discussion on this matter? Was Ireland opposed to it? As far as I know, only three states, Ireland, the UK and Sweden, do not have strategic gas reserves. If we were to establish a further strategic gas reserve, how and where would it be done? What would be the responsibility for BGE and the CER?

We have a massive reserve off the north-western coast at the Corrib field. It is projected to be able to meet approximately 60% of Irish needs for ten years at a minimum. Everybody feels we must get that gas ashore by agreement with local people as soon as possible. In that context, I understand the Minister has the final report of Advantica Consultants. Will the Minister publish it and, if so, when? What reports has the Minister received recently from Mr. Peter Cassells, the facilitator for a resolution of the Corrib dispute?

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