Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 715: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are plans to extend a natural gas supply to Youghal. [3509/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have no statutory functions with regard to the connection of towns to the gas network. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has, since 2002, 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 under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002.

Acting in this capacity, the CER in 2006 approved a new network connections policy, which provided an opportunity to reconsider the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite. This is to ensure that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting the town to the network are recouped through the consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. The new policy allows for the appraisal of a new town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. In this context, Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) is carrying out a comprehensive study of towns not already connected to the national gas network.

The BGÉ New Towns Study (under the new criteria set out in the Connections Policy) is being carried out in three Phases. Phase 2 of this assessment of towns was completed in October of last year, and included consideration of Youghal and Dungarvan as part of a regional group of towns. I am advised that connection of these towns was determined to be economically non-viable at the time. However, these towns will be kept under review as part of an ongoing review process. BGÉ has a dedicated e-mail address, newtowns@bge.ie, should you have any queries with regard to this study.