§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation to grant a licence for the supply of natural gas in the north-west and south-north areas.[178617]
§ Mr. GardinerDetailed negotiations between the Northern Ireland authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER) and Bord Gáis Eireann about the distribution and supply of natural gas to towns outside the Greater Belfast area have been continuing since December 2003. NIAER expects to publish a licence for consultation 967W within the next two months and, subject to responses, would hope to issue a formal licence in the early autumn of this year.