Consultation on the implementation of wholesale gas provisions in EU Directive 1788/2024

The aim of this consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on a proposed Statutory Instrument (S.I.) to transpose the provisions in EU Directive 2024/1788 relating to wholesale natural gas.

The Directive is available at the following link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj/eng

This consultation seeks feedback based on the draft text of the S.I. General comments are welcome, as well as input on specific policy choices including:

• Authorisations and permitting
• Derogations
• Decommissioning of the gas distribution system

The current draft has been developed by officials within the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and is the first iteration in the legislative drafting process. The draft does not represent government policy and is subject to change based on stakeholder input, legal advice and Ministerial consent.

Directive context

EU Directive 2024/1788 revises the existing EU rules for gas markets and introduces a new regulatory framework for hydrogen. The Directive recasts and updates the rules for European gas markets. The Directive will have implications for a range of government policies, including climate action, energy security and the development of the biomethane and hydrogen industries. In the short-term the Directive increases protections for existing natural gas consumers, harmonises European gas market regulations and integrates network development planning across energy types. In the longer-term the Directive aims to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, incentivise the shift from natural gas to renewable and low-carbon gases, and create a regulatory framework to support the nascent hydrogen sector.

Proposed Statutory Instrument

The interim title of the proposed S.I. is "European Communities (Internal Market in Natural Gas and Hydrogen) Regulations 2026". The proposed S.I. transposes only the provisions relating to wholesale natural gas, integrated network planning and biomethane.

The current draft has been developed by officials within the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and is the first iteration in the legislative drafting process. The draft does not represent government policy and is subject to change based on stakeholder input, legal advice and Ministerial consent.

The proposed S.I. aims to:

• Update minimum standards for the management of gas networks and ensure harmonisation with other EU climate policies and objectives
• Accelerate the deployment of biomethane production facilities
• Integrate network planning processes between the grid operators for gas, electricity and hydrogen
• Streamline the planning and permitting processes for constructing new gas infrastructure
• Provide a legislative means for decommissioning no longer needed gas infrastructure
• Update the range of duties and responsibilities of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) when overseeing the operations of the gas networks

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on Monday, 14 September 2026.

Submissions should be sent by email to wgpd@dcee.gov.ie or by post to:

Wholesale Gas and Hydrogen Policy Section,

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications,

Tom Johnson House,

Beggar's Bush,

Dublin,

D04 K7X4.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback during the legislative drafting process.

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

Publishing of responses

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

Please indicate any sensitive information

In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published. This can include:

• personal information
• commercially sensitive information
• confidential information

Read our Data Privacy Notice

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains:

• how and when we collect personal data
• why we do so
• how we treat this information
• your rights in relation to the collection of personal information
• how you can exercise those rights

You can view the Data Privacy Notice at the following link: Data Protection