Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the publication date of the joint study on natural gas storage and liquefied natural gas on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14653/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland jointly commissioned a study in 2007 to assess the medium to long-term position with regard to security of natural gas supply on an all-island basis and the scope for an all-island approach to natural gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The Executive Summary of the Report was published in recent days on my Department's website and on the website of Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland. It is not proposed to publish the Report in its entirety for reasons of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity.

The report assesses the security of national gas supplies for the island of Ireland in the context of our reliance on gas imports via undersea pipelines from the UK. The report examines possible supply/demand scenarios for natural gas between now and 2020 and recommends ways in which gas security of supply could be addressed. My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland, together with the two Regulatory Authorities North and South are assessing the report's findings, which range from short and medium to longer term options, with a view to advising myself and my Northern colleague, Minister Nigel Dodds, on the costs, benefits, feasibility and advisability of the various recommendations, some of which are already in train.