Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 31 January 2013, if he has been in contact with Dublin City Council in order to check if they are satisfied with a high pressure gas main being installed at a depth of 1.2 metres along main residential areas in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26751/13]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that Bord Gáis is placing a high pressure gas main at a depth of 1.2 metres along main residential areas in Dublin City, if he will consider seeking an external expert opinion on the potential implications for public safety of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26752/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 86 together.

The matters raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE). The company operates in accordance with the safety framework established by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which has statutory responsibility for gas safety. In addition, in accordance with section 39A of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, the CER has responsibility for the assessment of applications to construct transmission pipelines. I have no function in these operational matters. Enquiries by officials of my Department have confirmed that while local authorities have a role in regard to agreeing the route of a gas pipeline they have no role in deciding the depth at which the pipe will be laid. Pipelines are laid in accordance with the relevant standard.

BGE owns and operates the national transmission and distribution gas network. BGE and the CER have advised that all transmission pipelines, including those in residential areas, are designed, constructed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with Irish Standard 328:2003, Code of Practice for Gas Transmission Pipelines and Pipeline Installations.

I understand that pipelines in suburban and urban areas are constructed using high grade steel pipe and are laid with a minimum depth of cover of 1.2 metres throughout. In some circumstances and over short sections, where existing major services are located and cannot be moved, it may not be possible to meet this depth of cover. In these cases, additional pipeline protection measures, such as concrete impact protection, are put in place in accordance with Irish Standard 328:2003 Once commissioned, a scheduled routine maintenance and inspection programme is applied to all pipelines.

Following completion of construction, the consent of the CER will be required before BGE may operate the pipeline. This consent is subject to a review of all relevant data and test records by a CER commissioned independent consultant. Safety is BGE’s first priority and the company is committed to ongoing development and maintenance of the gas networks and systems to ensure safety and to deliver continuous safety improvement and performance. I have every confidence in BGE’s priority commitment to safety.

I understand the Deputy is referring to the Santry to East Wall gas pipeline. In regard to that pipeline, the consent of the CER to BGE’s undertaking of these works was informed by the advice of independent consultants engaged by the CER. This advice dealt with matters such as the pipeline’s technical compliance with design requirements, including minimum depth specifications, and compliance with the relevant Irish Standard 328:2003.

I repeat my previous offer that if the Deputy wishes, I would be happy to request BGE to contact him directly in relation to this matter.