Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the question on strategic reserves, at present it is in terms of 50% of non-daily metered customer requirements, which includes small businesses and domestic, for up to 50 days. We use approximately 15 million to 20 million standard cubic metres per day during the winter gas demand period. Of that, approximately 9 million to 12 million standard cubic metres per day is power generation demand. Residential, industrial and commercial demand is approximately 3.5 million to 4 million standard cubic metres per day. The pipeline system itself, including the interconnectors and the ring main, contains a stock level of approximately 20 to 30 million standard cubic metres. The Kinsale field can produce approximately 1 million to 1.5 million standard cubic metres per day without storage and 4 million to 4.5 million standard cubic metres per day with storage.

The figures on which the newspaper report quoted by the Deputy was based were out of date. The claim that Ireland is one of only three EU countries which does not hold strategic reserves appears to arise from a report by the Austrian energy regulator. As I noted, the data in the original statement were not up to date and the figures quoted show the storage capacities within each EU state, rather than their strategic reserves.

The final part of the Deputy's question pertained to the Corrib gas field. While this is a separate issue in some ways , it is also closely connected. Its estimated gas reserves are in the order of 875 billion cubic feet. As the Deputy noted, these reserves have the potential to make a significant contribution towards Ireland's natural gas requirements. The immediate flow of gas would reduce our imports by approximately 60%.

As for the status of the Advantica report and the mediation process undertaken by Peter Cassells, he has briefed me twice. As recently as one week or ten days ago, he brought me up to date regarding the people he has met and the issues which have been raised. That was the last time I spoke to him. He has met officials from the Department a number of times and he estimates that he should provide me with final conclusions on the mediation process in the spring, over the next month or so. While the Advantica report is with the Department at present, as the Deputy is aware, the technical advisory group must make recommendations to me on the basis of the final draft report. I expect this to take place in the next few weeks and I will then consider them. However, the report will be published.

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