Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1152: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his timeframe for providing natural gas to the towns of Templemore, Thurles and Roscrea in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2168/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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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. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.

The CER in 2006 approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess 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 actual consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. The policy allows for the appraisal of a 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 assessment of towns not already connected to the national gas network.

I am advised that the towns of Roscrea and Thurles are included in a total of 43 towns being examined as part of Phase 3 of this assessment which is scheduled for completion in April this year. The assessment does not include Templemore. BGÉ's final report will outline which towns or groups of towns would be economically viable for connection, within the revised connection policy criteria. In the event that the appraisal indicates that Thurles is viable for connection, I am advised that it may be possible to assess Templemore in that context. BGÉ has a dedicated email address, newtowns@bge.ie, for the purpose of dealing with queries related to the connection of new towns and routinely engages with local stakeholders to ensure that towns under consideration are assessed in a fully informed and comprehensive way.