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

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, line 7, after "line" to insert ", to change the name of Bord Gáis Éireann".

As we have just discussed, these amendments concern the change of name of Bord Gáis Éireann to Ervia. The Gas Regulation Act 2013, which was enacted late last year, provided for the sale of the energy business of Bord Gáis Éireann. As part of the sale process the ownership of the "Bord Gáis" brand will transfer to the new owner. Once the bidders have acquired the energy business of Bord Gáis Éireann and its brand, Bord Gáis Éireann may no longer use the words "Bord Gáis" in the name or brand of either its group or network business.

Bord Gáis Éireann has given careful consideration to appropriate alternative names having regard to the changing nature of its business, given both the sale of the energy business and the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann. As I advised the House earlier, the name change from Bord Gáis Éireann to Ervia will take account of the expanding functions of Bord Gáis Éireann.

The change of name requires a statutory footing and accordingly amendment No. 4 makes the necessary provisions to give effect to this. Amendment No. 1 is a consequential amendment, changing the Long Title of the Bill to reflect the inclusion of the provision to change the name of Bord Gáis Éireann to Ervia.

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