Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the volume of cast iron piping in the gas pipe network; the cost of replacing and upgrading this piping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14060/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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It is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann, under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, to arrange the safety of its natural gas network and this includes works to upgrade the network or to replace cast iron pipes. I am aware, however, that gas safety is a high priority for Bord Gáis Éireann.

Bord Gáis Éireann has a distribution network in the order of 9,000 km, of which approximately 12% is cast iron. During 2004, Bord Gáis Éireann developed a plan, in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation, to accelerate its mains renewal programme and eliminate all remaining cast iron pipes by the end of 2009. The costs associated with this renewal programme are a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation and Bord Gáis Éireann.