Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if gas will be supplied to a town (details supplied) in County Mayo in phase II; if same has been approved by An Bord Gáis; when it will happen; and the timeframe in relation to same. [20041/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State.

Last year, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) directed Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) to implement a new Gas Connections Policy, which determines the economic viability of connecting towns to the gas network. The new policy allows for the appraisal of a new town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. Having regard to this new policy I am informed that, BGÉ is carrying out a comprehensive review of towns being considered for connection to the national gas network. The review is being carried out in three Phases, the second Phase of which is currently under way.

Ballinrobe was originally considered under Phase 1 but did not qualify as an eligible town. Ballinrobe is, however, being reviewed under Phase 2, following the submission of new information on the town. The Phase 2 Report is in the final stages of completion and will be published in the coming weeks by CER and Bord Gáis Networks.