OFREG invites views on modifications to the N.I. Gas Licences to implement the EU Directive 2003/55

Ofreg today published a consultation paper entitled “Implementation of Gas Directive 2003/55 into Northern Ireland Gas Licences”

The paper sets out for full consultation the proposed changes to Northern Ireland gas licences that are necessary for the implementation of Directive 2003/55 (the Directive). The purpose of the Directive is to ensure that natural gas undertakings are operated in accordance with a set of rules so as to achieve a competitive, secure and environmentally sustainable market in natural gas.

In order to implement the Directive the Department for Enterprise Trade and Investment (The Department) made the Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 on the 5 September 2006, these Regulations bring the detailed provisions of the Directive into Northern Ireland Legislation. The Regulations state that all Northern Ireland gas licences shall include such conditions as appear to the grantor to be necessary or expedient having regard to the requirements and prohibitions laid down in the Directive.

This consultation seeks views on the licence modifications outlined in the consultation paper to assess their appropriateness in regard to the requirements and prohibitions laid down in EU Directive 2003/55

You should respond to Gas Distribution Branch in OFREG by no later than 26th January 2007 advising of any specific areas and points which may be of concern to you and why, in relation to the proposed licence modifications:

The paper is available on this website using THIS LINK or paper copies are available from Eimear Smyth, Ofreg, Queens House, 14 Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6ER

Tel. 028 9031 1575, Fax 028 9031 1740.

Copies will be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.

Responses are required on or before Friday 26th January 2007 preferably by electronic mail to sarah brady@ofregni.gov.uk or by mail to sarah Brady at the above address.

Please indicate if your reply is confidential and therefore cannot be published

Notes for Editors

OFREG (the Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas) supports the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER) the regulator of the Electrcity and Gas industries in Northern Ireland. NIAER’s powers are derived from the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 both as amended by the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

For further information contact:-

Conall McDevitt, Weber Shandwick Tel: 028 90764911, 07770 886933