Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the availability of gas interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the availability of gas interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14749/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 168 together.

In recent times, Ireland has developed a high standard of security of gas supply, through robust interconnection with the UK, to ensure sufficient importation capacity from external sources. We now have two gas interconnectors, with the second ensuring security of gas supply to 2025 and beyond. Ireland's security of supply status is on par with countries such as France, Italy, Sweden and Denmark, all of whom have duplicated sub-sea pipelines to ensure the availability of alternative routes of natural gas supply. In addition, Northern Ireland has a separate line to Scotland and by the end of 2006 the South-North interconnector will link the two systems.

Under section 19 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, is required to prepare and publish an annual forecast of capacity, flows and customer demand on Ireland's natural gas system over a seven year period. The most recent capacity statement was published on 12 November 2004 and includes a range of possible demand scenarios that may be expected to arise over the coming years. The scenarios incorporate various levels of demand, based on forecasts for the domestic, industrial and commercial and power generation sectors, while also considering potential timeframes for new indigenous supply.

The current gas capacity statement indicates that our infrastructure is sufficiently robust to cater for the majority of scenarios modelled. Only in the case of the highest demand forecast, in tandem with delays to the coming on stream of indigenous supply sources, would reinforcements to the infrastructure be envisaged within the period of this forecast.

Ireland continues to monitor developments in the UK market closely and this will inform the further development of security of supply policy. The Kinsale field continues to provide Ireland with an indigenous supply of gas and with potential supplies coming from the Corrib and Seven Heads fields, Ireland's import demands may be reduced in the coming years. My Department continues to monitor the supply situation.