Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals to extend the natural gas supply to Cavan town, as well as more towns in Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43237/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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All new connections to the transmission and distribution gas network are the responsibility of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), Ireland’s gas transmission system and distribution system operator. GNI’s gas connection policy is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent energy regulator.

Gas Networks Ireland Connections Policy sets out the conditions for the assessment of extensions to the gas network, including extensions to towns not currently served by natural gas. This would include an assessment of the economic viability of any new town connections by GNI.

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, GNI is required, in so far as practicable, to perform its functions in a manner consistent with national climate objectives, the most recently approved climate action plan, national long-term climate action strategy, national and sectoral adaptation frameworks and plans, and the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.

I am advised by GNI that, at present, it does not have any plans to extend the gas network to Cavan town. Previous reviews indicated that GNI could not make a suitable business case, as per the criteria outlined in Gas Networks Ireland's Connections Policy, to extend the gas network to the town, predominately due to the lack of large industrial energy demand in the town. GNI has informed my Department that this could change in time should additional significant industry or larger energy users locate in the area, and GNI would be happy to engage with stakeholders to reassess the potential of the town of Cavan in the future. In addition, GNI carried out an analysis of Monaghan town in 2023 and, likewise, could not make a suitable business case to extend the gas network to that town.