Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the purpose and effect of the European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas) (Compulsory Acquisition) Regulations (S.I. No. 517 of 2001); the provisions of Directive 98/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, regarding common rules for the internal market in natural gas, given effect to by those regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16999/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Article 4 of Directive 980/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998, contain the giving of powers of compulsory acquisition. [17000/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.

The European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas) (Compulsory Acquisition) Regulations (S.I. No. 517 of 2001) provided that powers of compulsory acquisition under the Gas Acts would apply in the same way to private developers as they already applied to Bord Gáis Éireann. These powers are now provided for in the Strategic Infrastructure Act, 2006.Directive 98/30/EC has been replaced by Directive 2003/55/EC. Article 4 of Directive 98/30/EC which relates to authorisation procedures for the construction of natural gas facilities and does not provide for powers of compulsory acquisition, is restated by Article 4 of Directive 2003/55/EC.