GAS (INTERIM) (REGULATION) ACT, 2002

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE GAS SECTOR IN THE STATE BY THE COMMISSION FOR ENERGY REGULATION AND FOR THAT PURPOSE TO TRANSFER TO IT CERTAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CHANGE OF NAME OF THE COMMISSION FOR ELECTRICITY REGULATION, TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE GAS ACTS, 1976 TO 2000, THE ELECTRICITY REGULATION ACTS, 1999 AND 2000, AND TO GIVE EFFECT TO DIRECTIVE 98/30/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL OF 22 JUNE 1998 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [10th April, 2002]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

1. Short title, collective citation and construction.

1. —(1) This Act may be cited as the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002.

• (2) The Electricity Regulation Acts, 1999 and 2000, and this Act (other than sections 11 and 15 and subsections (1) and (2) of section 23 ) may be cited together as the Electricity and Gas Regulation Acts, 1999 to 2002, and shall be construed together as one.

• (3) The Gas Acts, 1976 to 2000, and sections 11 and 15 and subsections (1) and (2) of section 23 may be cited together as the Gas Acts, 1976 to 2002, and shall be construed together as one.

2. Interpretation.

2. —(1) In this Act—

“Act of 1993” means Gas (Amendment) Act, 1993;

“Act of 1995” means Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995;

“Act of 1999” means Electricity Regulation Act, 1999:

“Act of 2000” means Gas (Amendment) Act, 2000;

“appointed day” means the day appointed by the Minister for the purposes of this Act;

“Board” means Board Gáis Éireann;

“Commission” means Commission for Energy Regulation;

“customer” in relation to natural gas, means wholesale or final customers of natural gas and natural gas undertakings which purchase natural gas;

F1[“Directive” means Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009² as amended by Directive (EU) 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019¹;]

“distribution” in relation to natural gas, means the transport of natural gas through local or regional pipelines with a view to its delivery to customers;

“distribution pipeline” means a pipeline used or intended to be used for the distribution of natural gas in accordance with such criteria as may be specified by the Commission, from time to time, and includes part of such a pipeline, and includes any apparatus, equipment or other thing which is ancillary to such a pipeline;

F2[“distribution system”, in relation to natural gas, means a system for the transport of natural gas through local or regional pipelines with a view to its delivery to customers;]

“final customer” in relation to natural gas, means a consumer purchasing natural gas for his or her own use;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

F3[…]

F4[“LNG” means liquefied natural gas;]

F2[ “LNG facility ”has the meaning assigned to it in point 11 of Article 2 of the Natural Gas Directive;]

“Minister” means Minister for Public Enterprise;

F5[“National Gas Emergency Manager” means the person appointed under section 19B(5);]

F5[“Natural Gas Emergency Plan” means the plan referred to in section 19B(1) as amended from time to time;]

“natural gas licence” means a licence granted under section 16 ;

F6[“Natural Gas Regulation” means Regulation 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009⁴;]

“natural gas system” means the system of pipelines and liquefied natural gas and storage facilities, excluding upstream pipelines, used for the transmission, distribution, storage and supply of natural gas to, from or within the State;

F7[“natural gas undertaking” has the same meaning as in the Directive;]

“pipeline” has the same meaning as in section 2 (as amended by section 23 ) of the Gas Act, 1976;

“shipping” in relation to natural gas, means the introduction into, the conveyance by means of, or take off from the natural gas system of natural gas by persons other than the operator of the relevant pipeline or facility being used for the purpose of introducing, conveying or taking off the natural gas;

“storage” in relation to natural gas, means the stocking of natural gas by a natural gas undertaking but does not include any natural gas in a pipeline under the control of that undertaking;

“supply” in relation to natural gas, means the delivery or sale of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas, to customers and includes shipping;

F7[“transmission” in relation to natural gas, means the transport of natural gas through a high pressure pipeline, other than an upstream pipeline with a view to delivering the gas to customers;]

“transmission pipeline” means a pipeline used or intended to be used for the transmission of natural gas in accordance with such criteria as may be specified by the Commission, from time to time, and includes part of such a pipeline, and includes any apparatus, equipment or other thing which is ancillary to such a pipeline;

F2[“transmission system”, in relation to natural gas, means a system for the transport of natural gas through a high pressure pipeline, other than an upstream pipeline, with a view to delivering natural gas to customers;]

“upstream pipeline” means any pipeline operated or constructed as part of a gas production project, or used to convey natural gas from one or more such projects to a processing plant or terminal or final coastal landing terminal.

• (2) In this Act—

• (a) a reference to a section is a reference to a section of this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,

• (b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

• (c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment, including this Act.

3. Appointed day.

3. —The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of this Act.

4. Laying of regulations and orders.

4. —Every order (other than an order made under section 3) or regulation made under this Act shall be laid by the Minister, in the case of orders or regulations made by the Minister, or by the Commission, in the case of orders or regulations made by the Commission, before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

5. Commission for Energy Regulation.

5. —The Commission for Electricity Regulation (established by section 8 of the Act of 1999) shall, on the appointed day, be known as the Commission for Energy Regulation or in the Irish language as An Coimisiún um Rialáil Fuinnimh and references in that Act, any other Act of the Oireachtas, any instrument made under any Act of the Oireachtas, any legal proceedings and any document to the Commission for Electricity Regulation shall from that day be construed as references to the Commission for Energy Regulation.

6. Functions of Commission.

6. —Section 9 of the Act of 1999 is amended on the appointed day—

• (a) in subsection (1), by the substitution for paragraph (e) of the following paragraph:

• “(e) to advise the Minister on the development of the electricity and gas industries, as appropriate, and on the exercise of the functions of the Minister under this Act.”,

• (b) by the substitution for subsection (3) of the following subsection:

• “(3) It shall be the duty of the Minister and the Commission to carry out their functions and exercise the powers conferred on them under this Act in a manner which—

  • (a) in relation to electricity, does not discriminate unfairly between holders of licences, authorisations and the Board or between applicants for authorisations or licences,

  • (b) in relation to gas, does not discriminate unfairly between holders of licences, consents and Bord Gáis Éireann or between applicants for consents or licences, and

  • (c) the Minister or the Commission, as the case may be, considers protects the interests of final customers of electricity or gas or both, as the case may be.”,

and

• (c) in subsection (4)—

• (i) by the substitution for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:

• “(a) to promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity and in the supply of natural gas in accordance with this Act;”,

and

• (ii) by the substitution for paragraphs (d) to (f) of the following paragraphs:

• “(d) to promote safety and efficiency on the part of electricity and natural gas undertakings;

• (e) to promote the continuity, security and quality of supplies of electricity;

• (f) to promote the use of renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy;

• (g) to secure that there is sufficient capacity in the natural gas system to enable reasonable expectations of demand to be met; and

• (h) to secure the continuity, security and quality of supplies of natural gas.”.

7. Transfer of functions from Minister to Commission.

7. —(1) The administration and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of any of the functions transferred by subsection (2) are transferred on the appointed day to the Commission.

• (2) The functions vested in the Minister by or under each of the provisions mentioned in column (3) of the Schedule to this Act of the enactments mentioned in column (2) opposite the mention of that provision are transferred to the Commission on the appointed day.

• (3) Anything commenced before the appointed day by or under the authority of the Minister may, in so far as it relates to functions transferred by this Act, be carried on or completed on or after that day by or under the authority of the Commission.

• (4) Where, immediately before the appointed day, any legal proceedings are pending to which the Minister is the plaintiff or the prosecutor and the proceedings have reference to functions transferred by this Act to the Commission, the name of the Commission shall, in so far as the proceedings relate to any functions transferred by this Act, be substituted in those proceedings for that of the Minister, or added in those proceedings as may be appropriate, and those proceedings shall not abate by reason of such substitution.

• (5) Where, immediately before the appointed day, any legal proceedings are pending to which the Minister is a defendant and the proceedings have reference to any functions transferred to the Commission by this Act, the Commission shall not be substituted for the Minister in those proceedings notwithstanding the transfer of functions under this Act.

• (6) Every document (including any licence or consent) made, granted or given in the exercise of a function transferred by this Act shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before the appointed day, have effect on and after that day as if it had been made, granted or given by the Commission.

• (7) References to the Minister in an Act or an instrument (including a licence granted or consent given thereunder) relating to any functions transferred by this Act to the Commission shall be construed, on and after the appointed day, as references to the Commission.

8. Code of conduct.

8. —(1) The Commission shall, following consultation with the Minister, draw up a code of conduct in respect of controls on the interests and ethical behaviour to apply to each member of the Commission and member of the staff of the Commission.

• (2) The Commission shall publish any code of conduct drawn up under subsection (1).

9. Declaration of interests.

9. —(1) On his or her offer of appointment, each member of the Commission shall make a declaration in writing of his or her interests to the Minister, in such form as the Minister, following consultation with the Minister for Finance, may specify.

• (2) On his or her offer of appointment, each consultant and adviser and each member of the staff of the Commission at a grade or level specified before the appointment by the Commission, following consultation with the Minister, shall declare his or her interests in writing to the Commission and, within one month of such declaration, the Commission shall, on request, provide the details of all such declarations to the Minister.

• (3) A person to whom subsection (1) or (2) applies shall, throughout the tenure of his or her appointment, amend and update his or her declarations of interests in respect of any changes in the interests held by the person.

• (4)
• (a) A statement of the interests declared under subsection (1) shall be included in the next report prepared in accordance with paragraph 25(c) of the Schedule to the Act of 1999 following the making of the declaration and any subsequent change in a declaration shall also be included in a statement in the next available report.

• (b) The form and content of the statement to be included in such report shall be agreed between the Commission, the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

• (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), it shall not be necessary to specify in a statement in such report the amount of monetary value of any interest, or the remuneration of any trade, profession or employment included in the statement.

• (5) Where a person to whom subsection (1) applies, fails to make a declaration in accordance with that subsection, the Minister shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office) to be taken.

• (6) Where a person to whom subsection (2) applies, fails to make a declaration in accordance with that subsection, the Commission shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office or termination of contract) to be taken.

• (7) In this section—

“employment” includes—

• (a) full-time employment,

• (b) part-time paid employment, where such employment is ongoing in the year of appointment or which arises in subsequent years,

• (c) temporary paid employment, being for a period of 16 weeks or more in the year of appointment or in subsequent years, or

• (d) being retained under contract, directly or indirectly, in any capacity as an adviser, consultant or lobbyist, or for the provision of services;

“interests” includes—

• (a) shares in, bonds or debentures of, or other like investments in any undertaking related to the gas or electricity industries, where the aggregate of such holdings exceeds €12,500,

• (b) a directorship or shadow directorship (within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001), in such an undertaking, held currently or during the previous two years, or

• (c) gifts of travel, holidays, transport, money (in excess of €650) or other benefits, including benefits from any beneficial interest in or connected with such an undertaking, during the previous two years which were received by the person being appointed or by his or her spouse F8[or civil partner within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010].

10. Disclosure of interests.

10. —(1) Where a member of the Commission, a member of the staff of the Commission, or a consultant, adviser or other person engaged by the Commission, has a pecuniary interest or other beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter which falls to be considered by the Commission, he or she shall—

• (a) disclose to the Commission, or where there is only one member of the Commission, that member shall disclose to the Minister, the nature of his or her interest in advance of any considerations of the matter,

• (b) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision in relation to the matter,

• (c) take no part in any consideration of the matter,

• (d) if he or she is a member of the Commission or a member of the staff of the Commission, withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter is being discussed or considered by the Commission, and shall not vote or otherwise act as such member in relation to the matter.

• (2) For the purposes of this section, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a person shall be regarded as having a beneficial interest if—

• (a) he or she or any member of his or her household, or any nominee of his or her's or any member of his or her household, is a member of a company or any other body which has a beneficial interest in, or material to, a matter referred to in that subsection, or

• (b) he or she or any member of his or her household is in partnership with or is in the employment of a person who has a beneficial interest in, or material to, such a matter, or

• (c) he or she or any member of his or her household is in the process of acquiring land or property to which such a matter relates.

• (3) For the purposes of this section, a person shall not be regarded as having a beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter, by reason only of an interest of his or her's or of any company or of any other body or person mentioned in subsection (2) which is so remote or insignificant that it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to influence a person in considering, discussing or in voting on, any question with respect to the matter, or in performing any function in relation to that matter.

• (4) Where a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a person, would be a failure by him or her to comply with the requirements of subsection (1), the question shall be determined by the Commission, or, where there is only one member of the Commission, in the case of that member, by the Minister.

• (5) Where a disclosure is made to the Commission, particulars of the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of any meeting concerned.

• (6) Where a person, other than a member of the Commission, referred to in this section fails to make a disclosure in accordance with this section, the Commission shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office or termination of contract) to be taken.

• (7) Where a member of the Commission fails to make a disclosure in accordance with this section, the Minister shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office) to be taken.

11. Functions of Bord Gáis Éireann.

11. —The Gas Act, 1976, is amended, on the appointed day, by the substitution for section 8 of the following section:

“8.—(1) (a) The Board shall, in relation to customers other than persons of the type mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of section 10A of this Act, develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas to such customers being a system which is both economical and efficient and which appears to the Board to be requisite for the time being.

• (b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be construed as imposing on the Board, either directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to which it would not otherwise be subject.

• (2) In discharging the duties imposed on it under this Act, the Board shall have regard to the sources of supply of natural gas which are available for the time being to the Board and such safety requirements as, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary in relation to the transmission and distribution of such gas.

• (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section or to any provision of this Act apart from this section within or outside the State, and subject to any requirements of law the Board may—

  • (a) transmit and distribute natural gas and sell and supply natural gas acquired by it (whether or not such gas has been prepared, processed or treated),

  • (b) purchase or otherwise acquire natural gas from any source,

  • (c) liquify or otherwise prepare, process or treat natural gas,

  • (d) fix, make and recover charges for any gas sold or any gas supply or service or facility provided or thing undertaken pursuant to this section by the Board, or fix and accept subscriptions for any service or facility so provided,

  • (e) attach such other terms and conditions as the Board shall think fit, to any sale of gas or as regards any gas supply or service or facility, provided by it,

  • (f) provide, operate or maintain, or provide, operate and maintain, whether for use by the Board or by a person other than, the Board, such pipelines, terminals, pressure-reducing stations, off-take stations, vessels, vehicles, works, services, facilities or other things as are necessary or expedient in relation to, or ancillary to, the provision, development or maintenance of a system of gas supply,

  • (g) for or on behalf of the owner of a pipeline used or intended to be used to supply gas to the Board, provide, operate or maintain, or provide, operate and maintain, anything which is a thing mentioned in paragraph (f) of this subsection,

  • (h) provide for any other person any or all of the following services and facilities relating to the development or supply of gas, namely, advice or assistance, research services or research or training facilities,

  • (i) subject to subsection (4) of this section, subscribe or guarantee money for charitable or benevolent objects or to or for any institution or for any public, general or useful object,

  • (j) draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, negotiate or issue bills of exchange, promissory notes or other negotiable or transferable instruments,

  • (k) subject to subsection (5) of this section, accept a gift of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions (if any) as may be specified by the person making the gift,

  • (l) carry on any activity which appears to the Board to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to the Board to facilitate, the performance by the Board of any function under this Act.

• (4) In case the Board pursuant to subsection (3)(i) of this section—

  • (a) gives a subscription exceeding €2,000, or

  • (b) in any particular year gives for or to a particular object or institution two or more subscriptions the aggregate of which exceeds €2,000,

  the subscription or subscriptions, as may be appropriate, together with the object or institution to which it or they relate shall be specified in the accounts kept by the Board pursuant to this Act.

• (5) The Board shall not accept any gift pursuant to subsection (3)(k) of this section if the trusts and conditions attached by the donor to its acceptance are inconsistent with the functions of the Board.

• (6) Where the Board proposes to transfer to another person an interest in a pipeline or a part thereof that has been constructed by it pursuant to and in accordance with a consent given by the Minister or the Commission under this Act, the Board shall obtain the prior consent of the Minister given with the approval of the Minister for Finance for such a transfer and the Minister may attach such conditions as he or she deems appropriate to such a prior consent.

• (7) In subsection (6) of this section—

‘interest’ means any estate, right, title or other interest, legal or equitable and includes a licence;

‘transfer’ includes grant, demise and assign or, as appropriate, a grant, demise and an assignment.”.

12. Construction of pipelines.

12. —(1) The Gas Act, 1976, is amended, on the appointed day, by—

• (a) the insertion after section 39 of the following section:

“39A.—(1) Subject to section 12(2) of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, a person, including the Board, shall not, without the consent of the Commission, construct a pipeline, other than an upstream pipeline, on, over or under the surface of land or of any sea bed that is situate in the territorial seas of the State or a designated area.

• (2) The Commission may revoke a consent given by it under subsection (1) of this section but such revocation shall not prejudice the validity of anything done previously pursuant to and in accordance with the consent.

• (3) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, any guidelines published by the Minister before the day appointed to be the appointed day under section 3 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, are the procedures to be followed in giving consents under subsection (1) of this section.

• (4) Where the Commission gives its consent under subsection (1) of this section, it shall attach to the consent such conditions, with respect to the construction of the relevant pipeline as it considers appropriate, including conditions analogous to all or any of the requirements of subsection (6) of this section.

• (5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) of this section, the Commission may—

  • (a) attach to a consent given under subsection (1) of this section for the construction by a person of a pipeline, a condition requiring to be observed, as regards the pipeline, specific codes and standards of safety and efficiency regarding the construction of pipelines, and

  • (b) by regulations, set out the procedures in relation to the giving of a consent under subsection (1) of this section.

• (6) In case the holder of a consent given under subsection (1) of this section constructs a pipeline the holder shall take all reasonable measures to protect the natural environment and to avoid injuring the amenities of the area and, in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the holder shall while constructing the pipeline take all reasonable steps to prevent injury to any building, site, flora, fauna, feature or other thing which is of particular architectural, historic, archaeological, geological or natural interest, and when selecting the route for the pipeline the holder shall have regard to any representations made to the holder as regards the route of such pipeline by any local authority within whose functional area a proposed route, or any part of such a route would, if the pipeline were constructed, be situate, or any of the following on, in or over whose land such route or part would in such circumstances be situate, namely—

  • (a) a harbour authority (within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946),

  • (b) a company (within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1996),

  • (c) the Electricity Supply Board or any other electricity undertaker,

  • (d) Córas Iompair Éireann or any other railway undertaker, or

  • (e) a natural gas undertaking (other than the holder).

• (7) Where the Commission attaches, under subsection (4) of this section, conditions to a consent given under subsection (1) of this section, the person constructing the relevant pipeline shall comply with those conditions.”,

• (b) the substitution for section 40 (inserted by section 19 of the Act of 2000) of the following section—

“40.—(1) A person, including the Board, shall not, without the consent of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, construct or operate an upstream pipeline on, over or under the surface of land or of any sea bed that is situate in the territorial seas of the State or a designated area.

• (2) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may revoke a consent given by him or her under subsection (1) of this section but such revocation shall not prejudice the validity of anything done previously pursuant to and in accordance with the consent.

• (3) Where the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources gives his or her consent under subsection (1) of this section, he or she shall attach to the consent such conditions, with respect to the construction or operation of the relevant pipeline as he or she considers appropriate, including conditions analogous to all or any of the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.

• (4) In case the holder of a consent given under subsection (1) of this section constructs an upstream pipeline the holder shall take all reasonable measures to protect the natural environment and to avoid injuring the amenities of the area and, in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the holder shall while constructing the upstream pipeline take all reasonable steps to prevent injury to any building, site, flora, fauna, feature or other thing which is of particular architectural, historic, archaeological, geological or natural interest, and when selecting the route for the upstream pipeline the holder shall have regard to any representations made to the holder as regards the route of such upstream pipeline by any local authority within whose functional area a proposed route, or any part of such a route would, if the upstream pipeline were constructed, be situate, or any of the following on, in or over whose land such route or part would in such circumstances be situate, namely—

  • (a) a harbour authority (within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946),

  • (b) a company (within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1996),

  • (c) the Electricity Supply Board or any other electricity undertaker,

  • (d) Córas Iompair Éireann or any other railway undertaker, or

  • (e) a natural gas undertaking (other than the holder).

• (5) Where the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources attaches, under subsection (3) of this section, conditions to a consent given under subsection (1) of this section, the person constructing or operating the relevant pipeline shall comply with those conditions.”,

and

• (c) in section 40A (inserted by Article 20 of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 349 of 1989))—

• (i) in subsection (1), by the substitution for paragraph (a) (inserted by section 19(2) of the Act of 2000) by the following paragraph:

• “(a) A statement of the likely effects on the environment (hereafter in this section referred to as an ‘environmental impact statement’) of a proposed pipeline of a class for the time being specified under Article 24 of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 349 of 1989), or under any provision amending or replacing the said Article 24 shall be submitted with, or within a reasonable time after the making of, an application to—

  • (i) the Commission by a person, including the Board, for its consent under section 39A(1) of this Act, in relation to the proposed construction of a pipeline other than an upstream pipeline, or

  • (ii) the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources by a person, including the Board, for his or her consent under section 40(1), in relation to the proposed construction of an upstream pipeline.”,

and

• (ii) other than in subsection (1)(a) (inserted by this paragraph), by the substitution for “the Minister” of “the Commission or the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, as the case may be,” in each place where it occurs,

• (iii) by the substitution for subsection (7) of the following subsection:

• “(7)

  • (a) Where the Minister considers that a proposed pipeline, which is the subject of an environmental impact statement in accordance with a requirement of or under subsection (1) of this section, would be likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State of the European Communities or a state which is party to the Transboundary Convention or where the other state concerned considers that the said pipeline would be likely to have the said effects and so requests, he or she shall, as soon as possible, send to that state—

    • (i) a description of the proposed pipeline and any available information on its possible effects on the environment in that state, and

    • (ii) information on the nature of the decision which may be taken,

    and shall give that state a reasonable time to indicate whether it wishes to furnish views on the said effects.

  • (b) Where a Member State of the European Communities or a state which is party to the Transboundary Convention which has received information pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection indicates that it wishes to furnish views on the likely effects on the environment of the proposed pipeline, the Minister shall, if he or she has not already done so, send to that state—

    • (i) a copy of the environmental impact statement, and

    • (ii) relevant information about the procedure for making a decision on the application or notice concerned.

  • (c) The Minister shall enter into consultations with a Member State of the European Communities or a state which is party to the Transboundary Convention to which information was sent pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection regarding the potential effects of the proposed pipeline on the environment in that state and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects.

  • (d) The Minister shall notify a Member State of the European Communities or a state which is party to the Transboundary Convention to which information was sent pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection of his or her decision on the application or notice concerned.

  • (e) In this section ‘Transboundary Convention’ means the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context done at Espoo, Finland on 25 February, 1991.”,

and

• (iv) in subsection (9), by the substitution for “section 8(9) of this Act” of “section 39A(6) or 40(4) of this Act”.

• (2) F9[Subject to section 39B(2) of the Gas Act 1976, the Commission may], from the appointed day, specify by regulations—

• (a) the pipelines or classes of pipelines to which section 39A(1) (inserted by this section) of the Gas Act, 1976, shall not apply in relation to the construction of pipelines or those classes of pipelines, and

• (b) such conditions as the Commission deems desirable in relation to the construction of the pipelines or classes of pipelines to which the regulations relate.

• (3) F10[(a)The Minister—

• (i) shall specify by regulations the criteria in accordance with which an application for a consent given under section 39A(1) of the Gas Act 1976, may be determined by the Commission; and

• (ii) shall publish the criteria with which an application for a consent given under section 40 (1) of the Gas Act 1976 may be determined.]

• (b) The criteria specified by the Minister under subsection (3)(a) may relate to, any or all of the following:

• (i) security of supply,

• (ii) the safety and security of the natural gas system,

• (iii) the qualifications of an applicant, including the technical and financial qualifications of the applicant, and

• (iv) any other criteria specified under subsection (3)(a).

• (4) Where, from the appointed day, the Commission determines that the capacity of existing or proposed distribution or transmission pipelines in a particular geographical area, as specified by the Commission, represents adequate provision for reasonable expectation of demand, it may refuse to give its consent under section 39A(1) of the Gas Act, 1976, to the construction of any new distribution or transmission pipeline in that particular area.

• (5)
• (a) Without prejudice to the procedures for the giving of consents for the construction of pipelines set out in regulations made under section 39A(5) (inserted by this section) of the Gas Act, 1976, the Commission shall, where it considers it appropriate, or at the request of the Minister, conduct a competitive process for the purpose of selecting an applicant from whom an application for consent shall be considered for the construction of a pipeline in a particular area or for a particular purpose.

• (b) The Commission may make regulations relating to the conduct of such a competitive process, and such regulations may include—

• (i) the period of time allowed for the submission of expressions of interest by prospective applicants,

• (ii) the criteria for the pre-qualification of applicants,

• (iii) the period of time allowed for the submission of applications,

• (iv) the criteria by which applications will be adjudicated,

• (v) the terms and conditions that may be applied in relation to the successful applicant,

• (vi) the lodging of a bond (if any) by the successful applicant, and

• (vii) any other matter which the Commission considers appropriate and necessary for the holding of a competitive process under paragraph (a).

• (c) Before holding a competitive process under paragraph (a), the Commission shall undertake such preliminary examinations, as it considers appropriate or the Minister requests, including the carrying out of economic and technical feasibility studies of a proposed pipeline or pipeline routes.

• (d) Where a competitive process is conducted under this subsection, the Commission shall not be obliged to select an applicant where it considers that no applicant is suitable.

• (6) In this section “proposed distribution or transmission” in relation to a pipeline, means a pipeline, whether under construction or not, for which an application for consent has been made to the Commission under section 39A(1) of the Gas Act, 1976, and where the applicant has been certified by the Commission as being a bona fide applicant in accordance with the procedures for the giving of consents for the construction of pipelines set out in regulations made under section 39A(5) (inserted by this section) of the Gas Act, 1976.

13. Code of operations.

13. —(1) Subject to subsection (3) and to section 16(4), within such time and following such consultation as the Commission may direct, the holder of a natural gas licence F11[of a type mentioned in F12[section 16(1)(c) and (d)]] shall publish, including publication by electronic means, subject to the approval of the Commission, a code (“code of operations”) in respect of all technical design, operational and other requirements F11[, including technical safety criteria,] relating to connection to and operation of the facilities in respect of which the holder has been granted the licence.

• (2) A code of operations shall be objective and non-discriminatory and shall, as far as technically possible, ensure the interoperability of systems.

• (3) The Commission may from time to time give directions to the holder of a natural gas licence in respect of—

• (a) the matters to be specified in its code of operations, and

• (b) the review and revision by the holder from time to time of its code of operations.

• (4) The holder of a natural gas licence shall comply with directions given to it by the Commission under subsection (3).

• F11[(5) F13[…]]

14. Transmission of natural gas by pipeline operators on behalf of other persons.

14. —(1) The following sections are substituted, on the appointed day, for section 10A (inserted by section 2(1) of the Act of 1995) of the Gas Act, 1976:

“10A.—(1) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, where an application is made to a pipeline operator by—

• (a) the holder of a natural gas licence under section 16 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, for the purpose of carrying out any activity for which the holder is licensed,

• (b) the holder of a petroleum lease under section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, for the purpose of carrying out any activity connected with the lease,

• (c) a person, including the Board, in respect of whom an order has been made under section 2(1) of the Gas (Amendment) Act, 1987, for the purpose of carrying out the functions conferred on the person by the order,

• (d) a person who operates a gas-fired generating station, irrespective of its annual consumption level, for the purpose of providing energy for the generation of electricity at that station, or

• (e) a final customer (within the meaning of section 2 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002), with an annual rate of consumption of not less than 2,000,000 standard cubic metres per annum (or such other rate as may stand prescribed for the time being) at a single meter installation for the purpose of delivery to that installation,

to transport on his or her behalf through pipelines under the control of the pipeline operator natural gas, the pipeline operator shall offer to enter into an agreement for the transportation of the natural gas on behalf of that person, subject to terms and conditions specified in regulations made by the Commission under subsection (3) of this section.

• (2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1) of this section, an offer made under that subsection:

  • (a) may include an offer to transport natural gas at a rate that is greater or less than the rate to which the request relates (but, except in the case of an application made by a person mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (d), not less than the annual rate mentioned in subsection (1)(e) of this section), and

  • (b) where connection is required to the pipeline of the pipeline operator by the applicant—

    • (i) shall include the terms for such a connection, including any charges for connection, and details of all technical aspects relating to the connection that might be reasonably required by that person, and

    • (ii) on request of the applicant, may be on the basis that the applicant constructs, or that either or both the applicant and the pipeline operator arranges to have constructed, the connection to the pipeline, and the ownership of any such connection constructed or arranged to be constructed by the applicant shall, subject to subsection (8) of this section, be a matter for agreement between the parties.

• (3) The Commission may by regulations provide for—

  • (a) the matters to be specified in an agreement for transportation of the natural gas through the pipeline of the pipeline operator, including terms and conditions relating to price;

  • (b) the matters to be specified in an agreement for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator;

  • (c) the terms and conditions, including terms and conditions relating to price of the connection, upon which an offer for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator is made;

  • (d) the methods for determining the proportion of the costs to be borne by the person making the application for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator and to be borne by the pipeline operator being costs which are directly or indirectly incurred in carrying out works under an agreement or making a connection or modifying an existing connection;

  • (e) the terms and conditions upon which applications for an agreement are to be made and the period of time within which an offer or refusal pursuant to an application is to be made by the pipeline operator; and

  • (f) any other matters which the Commission considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of making an offer for the transportation of natural gas through a pipeline or connection to a pipeline.

• (4) A pipeline operator shall comply with any regulations made by the Commission under subsection (3) of this section within such time period as may be specified by the Commission in the regulations.

• (5) A pipeline operator shall not make an offer under subsection (1) of this section other than to a person of the type mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of that subsection.

• (6) A pipeline operator may refuse a request made under subsection (1)—

  • (a) on the basis of a lack of capacity in its pipeline, save where it is economical for the operator to make the necessary enhancements to the capacity of the pipeline,

  • (b) on the basis of a lack of connection to that pipeline, save where the person making the request is willing to pay for such a connection in accordance with such conditions as may be specified by the Commission in regulations made under subsection (3) of this section,

  • (c) where, to enter into an agreement under this section would be likely to involve the pipeline operator in a contravention or a breach of—

    • (i) this Act, the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, the Gas (Amendment) Act, 2000, or the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002;

    • (ii) regulations made under any of the aforesaid Acts;

    • (iii) the conditions of any licence granted or consent given to the pipeline operator under this Act or the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002;

    • (iv) the code of operations (within the meaning of section 13 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002) of the pipeline operator; or

    • (v) a public service obligation imposed on the pipeline operator by an order made under section 21(1) of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002,

    or

  • (d) the person making the application does not undertake to be bound by the terms of the aforesaid code of operations of the pipeline operator in so far as those terms are applicable to that person.

• (7) Where a pipeline operator refuses to offer to enter into an agreement under this section, the operator shall serve notice on the applicant of the reasons for such a refusal.

• (8) Any dispute between a pipeline operator and any person who is, or claims to be, a person to whom the operator is obliged to make an offer for the transportation of natural gas through or, where appropriate, connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator (and whether as to the making of an offer, the terms offered, the proposed charges or otherwise) where an offer is made or refused by the operator, may, upon the application of that person, be determined by the Commission and the operator shall comply with and be bound by any such determination.

• (9) Where an application is made under subsection (8) of this section to the Commission in relation to a dispute concerning a distribution or transmission pipeline, part of which is situated in the territory of another state, on the seabed under the territorial seas of another state or on the continental shelf belonging to another state, the Commission shall consult the relevant authorities in that other state with respect to the application.

• (10) In order to ensure compliance with a determination made under this section the Commission may apply in a summary manner on notice to the High Court for an order requiring a pipeline operator to comply with the determination.

• (11) Where providing for the transportation of natural gas or where offering terms for the carrying out of works for the purpose of connection to the pipeline of a pipeline operator, the pipeline operator shall not discriminate unfairly as between any persons or classes of persons.

• (12) A pipeline operator shall not, in the context of sales or purchases of natural gas by that operator or related undertakings, abuse commercially sensitive information obtained from third parties in the context of providing or negotiating access to a pipeline under the control of the pipeline operator.

• (13) In this section ‘pipeline operator’ has the same meaning as in section 14 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002.

10B.—(1) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, where an application is made to an upstream pipeline operator by—

- (*a*) the holder of a natural gas licence under *[section 16](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2002/act/10/section/16)* of the *Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002*, for the purpose of carrying out any activity for which the holder is licensed,

- (*b*) the holder of a petroleum lease under [section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1960/act/7/section/13), for the purpose of carrying out any activity connected with the lease,

- (*c*) a person, including the Board, in respect of whom an order has been made under section 2(1) of the [Gas (Amendment) Act, 1987](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1987/act/9), for the purpose of carrying out the functions conferred on the person by the order,

- (*d*) a person who operates a gas-fired generating station, irrespective of its annual consumption level, for the purpose of providing energy for the generation of electricity at that station, or

- (*e*) a final customer (within the meaning of *[section 2](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2002/act/10/section/2)* of the *Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002*) with an annual rate of consumption of not less than 2,000,000 standard cubic metres per annum (or such other rate as may stand prescribed for the time being) at a single meter installation for the purpose of delivery to that installation,

  to transport on his or her behalf through pipelines under the control of the upstream pipeline operator natural gas, the upstream pipeline operator shall offer to enter into an agreement for the transportation of the natural gas on behalf of that person, subject to terms and conditions specified in regulations made by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under subsection (3) of this section.

• (2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1) of this section, an offer made under that subsection:

  • (a) may include an offer to transport natural gas at a rate that is greater or less than the rate to which the request relates (but, except in the case of an application made by a person mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (d), not less than the annual rate mentioned in subsection (1)(e) of this section), and

  • (b) where connection is required to the pipeline of the upstream pipeline operator by the applicant—

    • (i) shall include the terms for such a connection, including any charges for connection, and details of all technical aspects relating to the connection that might be reasonably required by that person, and

    • (ii) on request of the applicant, may be on the basis that the applicant constructs, or that either or both the applicant and the upstream pipeline operator arranges to have constructed, the connection to the pipeline, and the ownership of any such connection constructed or arranged to be constructed by the applicant shall, subject to subsection (8) of this section, be a matter for agreement between the parties.

• (3) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may, following consultation with the Commission, by regulations provide for—

  • (a) the matters to be specified in an agreement for transportation of the natural gas through the pipeline of the upstream pipeline operator, including terms and conditions relating to price,

  • (b) the matters to be specified in an agreement for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator,

  • (c) the terms and conditions, including terms and conditions relating to price of the connection, upon which an offer for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator is made,

  • (d) the methods for determining the proportion of the costs to be borne by the person making the application for connection to the pipeline of the pipeline operator and to be borne by the pipeline operator being costs which are directly or indirectly incurred in carrying out works under an agreement or making a connection or modifying an existing connection,

  • (e) the terms and conditions upon which applications for an agreement are to be made and the period of time within which an offer or refusal pursuant to an application is to be made by the upstream pipeline operator, and

  • (f) any other matters which the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of making an offer for the transportation of natural gas through a pipeline or connection to a pipeline.

• (4) An upstream pipeline operator shall comply with any regulations made by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under subsection (3) of this section within such time period as may be specified by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in the regulations.

• (5) An upstream pipeline operator shall not make an offer under subsection (1) of this section other than to a person of the type mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of that subsection.

• (6) An upstream pipeline operator may refuse a request made under subsection (1) of this section—

  • (a) on the basis of a lack of capacity in its pipeline, save where it is economical for the operator to make the necessary enhancements to the capacity of the pipeline,

  • (b) on the basis of a lack of connection to that pipeline, save where the person making the request is willing to pay for such a connection in accordance with such conditions as may be specified by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in regulations made under subsection (3) of this section,

  • (c) where, to enter into an agreement under this section would be likely to involve the upstream pipeline operator in a contravention or a breach of—

    • (i) the Gas Acts, 1976 to 2002, the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, the Gas (Amendment) Act, 2000, or the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002,

    • (ii) regulations made under any of the aforesaid Acts,

    • (iii) the conditions of any licence granted or consent given to the upstream pipeline operator under this Act or under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002,

    • (iv) the conditions of any licence, lease or permit granted to the upstream pipeline operator under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, or

    • (v) the upstream pipeline operator's code of operations, being a code, approved by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, in respect of all technical design, operational and other requirements relating to operation of the upstream pipeline in respect of which the holder has been granted a consent by that Minister under section 40(1),

    or

  • (d) the person making the application does not undertake to be bound by the terms of the aforesaid code of operations of the upstream pipeline operator in so far as those terms are applicable to that person.

• (7) Where an upstream pipeline operator refuses to offer to enter into an agreement under this section, the operator shall serve notice on the applicant of the reasons for such a refusal.

• (8) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, or any person nominated in that behalf by the Minister, for the purposes of Article 21 of the Directive, shall be the competent authority (in this section referred to as the ‘competent authority’) in the State to settle expeditiously disputes concerning refusal of access to upstream pipelines within the scope of the Directive.

• (9) Any dispute between an upstream pipeline operator and any person who is, or claims to be, a person to whom the operator is obliged to make an offer for the transportation of natural gas through a pipeline under the control of that operator (and whether as to the making of an offer, the terms offered, the proposed charges or otherwise) where an offer is made or is refused by the operator, may, upon the application of that person, be determined by the competent authority and the operator shall comply with and be bound by any such determination.

• (10) Where an application is made under subsection (9) of this section to the competent authority in relation to a dispute concerning an upstream pipeline, part of which is situated in the territory of another state, on the seabed under the territorial seas of another state or on the continental shelf belonging to another state the competent authority shall, prior to considering the application, consult the relevant authorities in that other state with respect to the application.

• (11) The parties to a dispute referred to in subsection (8) of this section shall provide all documents, records, accounts, estimates and other information, whether oral or written, requested from time to time, by the competent authority in the form and at the times specified by that authority, for the purpose of making a determination under subsection (9) of this section.

• (12)

  • (a) In making a determination under subsection (9) of this section, the competent authority shall apply the objectives of—

    • (i) fair and open access,

    • (ii) achieving a competitive market in natural gas, and

    • (iii) avoiding any abuse of a dominant position.

  • (b) In applying the objectives under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the competent authority shall take account of—

    • (i) security and regularity of supplies,

    • (ii) capacity which is or can reasonably be made available,

    • (iii) environmental protection, and

    • (iv) the number of parties which may be involved in negotiating access to upstream pipelines.

• (13) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (12) of this section, in making a determination under subsection (9) of this section, the competent authority may take into account the need—

  • (a) to refuse access where there is an incompatibility which cannot be reasonably overcome between the technical specifications being proposed by the applicant and those applying to the pipeline of the upstream pipeline operator,

  • (b) to avoid difficulties which cannot be reasonably overcome and could prejudice the efficient, current and planned future production of natural gas or other hydrocarbons, including that from fields of marginal economic value, and

  • (c) to respect the duly substantiated reasonable needs of the upstream pipeline operator for the transport and processing of gas and the interests of all other users of the relevant upstream pipeline or processing or handling facilities who may be affected.

• (14) In order to ensure compliance with a determination made under subsection (9) of this section the competent authority may apply in a summary manner on notice to the High Court for an order requiring an upstream pipeline operator to comply with the determination.

• (15) Where providing for the transportation of natural gas or where offering terms for the carrying out of works for the purpose of connection to a pipeline under the control of an upstream pipeline operator, the upstream pipeline operator shall not discriminate unfairly as between any persons or classes of persons.

• (16) An upstream pipeline operator shall not, in the context of sales or purchases of natural gas by that operator or related undertakings, abuse commercially sensitive information obtained from third parties in the context of providing or negotiating access to a pipeline under the control of the upstream pipeline operator.

• (17)

  • (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, an upstream pipeline operator shall, within such time as the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may direct, prepare a statement for the approval of the Minister setting out the basis upon which charges are imposed—

    • (i) for the transportation of natural gas through a pipeline under the control of the upstream pipeline operator, and

    • (ii) for connection to a pipeline under the control of that upstream pipeline operator.

  • (b) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may—

    • (i) give directions to an upstream pipeline operator from time to time in respect of the basis for charges for the transportation of natural gas through, or connection to, a pipeline under the control of the upstream pipeline operator, and

    • (ii) specify by regulations the classes of upstream pipeline operator to whom paragraph (a) of this subsection does not apply.

  • (c) Notwithstanding the generality of paragraph (b) of this subsection, directions given by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under this subsection may provide for—

    • (i) the methods of charging to be included in the statement to be prepared by an upstream pipeline operator,

    • (ii) the form and the extent of the information to be provided by an upstream pipeline operator to applicants,

    • (iii) the form of charges and information about those charges to be included in the statement to be prepared by an upstream pipeline operator,

    • (iv) the procedure to be adopted in the submission by an upstream pipeline operator of a statement of charges and the approval by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources of such statement, and

    • (v) the nature of information to be provided to applicants seeking the transportation of natural gas through, or connection to, a pipeline under the control of the upstream pipeline operator and its presentation and transparency.

  • (d) An upstream pipeline operator shall comply with directions given to it by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under this subsection.

  • (e) A charge for the transportation of natural gas through, or connection to, a pipeline under the control of the upstream pipeline operator shall be calculated in accordance with directions given by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under this section so as to enable the upstream pipeline operator to recover—

    • (i) the appropriate proportion of the costs directly or indirectly incurred in carrying out any necessary works, and

    • (ii) a reasonable rate of return on the capital represented by such costs.

  • (f) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, solely, shall determine that which constitutes an ‘appropriate proportion’ referred to in paragraph (e)(i) of this subsection and a ‘reasonable rate of return’ referred to in paragraph (e)(ii) of this subsection.

• (18)

  • (a) An upstream pipeline operator shall send each statement prepared in accordance with subsection (17) of this section to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources for its approval (in this section referred to as the ‘statement’) and the statement, and in particular any charges referred to therein, shall not apply until such time as it has been approved of by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, subject to such modifications, if any, as that Minister considers appropriate.

  • (b) The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources shall consult with an upstream pipeline operator and have regard to any submission made by the upstream pipeline operator to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources prior to making a decision as to whether to approve of or not, as the case may be, a statement submitted by the upstream pipeline operator to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources for approval.

  • (c) Any charges imposed by an upstream pipeline operator on or before the coming into operation of this section shall, subject to the approval of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, continue in force until a statement has been approved of by that Minister under this section and thereafter all charges shall be in accordance with a statement approved of by that Minister.

• (19) In this section—

‘Directive’ means Directive 98/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 concerning the internal market in natural gas;

‘pipeline’ means an upstream pipeline and includes facilities supplying technical services incidental to acquiring access to such pipelines;

‘upstream pipeline operator’ means a person operating an upstream pipeline in accordance with a consent given by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources under section 40 (1).”.

• (2) F14[…]

• (3) F14[…]

• (4) F14[…]

• (5) F14[…]

15. Directives as to profits and financial objectives of Bord Gáis Éireann.

15. —The following section is substituted, on the appointed day, for section 11 (as amended by section 2(2) of the Act of 1995) of the Gas Act, 1976.

“11.—(1) (a) The Minister may, from time to time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, give the Board such general directives concerning the financial objectives of the Board, as he or she considers appropriate.

• (b) The Minister may, from time to time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, direct that the profits of the Board in a year specified in the direction shall be applied in such manner (including application for the benefit of the Exchequer) as is specified in the direction.

• (2) In performing its functions the Board shall—

  • (a) comply with any direction under this section, and

  • (b) have regard to any directive under this section concerning its financial objectives.”.

16. Natural gas licences.

16. — F15[(1) The Commission may grant or refuse to grant to a person a licence to undertake in the State all or any of the following activities:

• (a) the supply of natural gas;

• (b) the shipping of natural gas;

• (c) the ownership and operation of a transmission system;

• (d) the ownership and operation of a distribution system;

• (e) the operation of a natural gas storage facility;

• (f) the operation of an LNG facility.]

• F16[(1A) A licence granted under subsection (1) is subject to such conditions as are specified in the licence.

• (1B) Subject to security of supply requirements, it shall be a duty of the Commission to ensure that all customers are entitled to be supplied with gas by a supplier, subject to the supplier’s agreement, regardless of the Member State in which the supplier is registered, on condition that the supplier follows the applicable trading and balancing rules.

• (1C) For the purposes of the Directive—

• (a) the holder of a licence for the ownership and operation of a transmission system is F17[approved, certified and designated] as a transmission system operator,

• (b) the holder of a licence for the operation of a natural gas storage facility is designated as a storage facility operator, and

• (c) the holder of a licence for operation of a LNG facility is designated as a LNG facility operator.]

• F18[(1D) For the purposes of Article 24 of the Directive, the holder of a licence for the operation of a distribution system is designated as a distribution system operator.]

• F19[(1E) Without prejudice to its balancing obligations, a transmission system operator shall be prohibited from applying for a licence in respect of the activities mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b).

• (1F) The holder of a licence under subsection (1)(a) shall keep for not less than 5 years and make available on a request being made by the Commission, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission or the European Commission all relevant data relating to all transactions in gas supply contracts and gas derivatives with wholesale customers and transmission system operators as well as storage and LNG operators.