- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As made)
The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, Section 14 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 15 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Order (including any effects on those provisions):
14.—[F1(1) The principal objective of the Department and the Authority in carrying out their respective gas functions is to promote the development and maintenance of an efficient, economic and co-ordinated gas industry in Northern Ireland, and to do so in a way that is consistent with the fulfilment by the Authority, [F2of the designated regulatory gas objectives].]
(2) The Department and the Authority shall carry out those functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to further the principal objective, having regard to—
[F3(a)the need to ensure a high level of protection of the interests of consumers of gas;]
(b)the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities which are the subject of obligations imposed by or under Part II of the Gas Order or this Order;
(c)the need to secure that the prices charged in connection with the conveyance of gas through designated pipe-lines (within the meaning of Article 59) are in accordance with a common tariff which does not distinguish (whether directly or indirectly) between different parts of Northern Ireland or the extent of use of any pipe-line; and
(d)the need to protect the interests of gas licence holders in respect of the prices at which, and the other terms on which, any services are provided by one gas licence holder to another.
(3) In performing that duty, the Department or the Authority shall have regard to [F4the need to protect] the interests of—
(a)individuals who are disabled or chronically sick;
(b)individuals of pensionable age; and
(c)individuals with low incomes;
but that is not to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of consumer.
(4) The Department and the Authority may, in carrying out any gas functions, have regard to the interests of consumers in relation to electricity [F5and in relation to water or sewerage services] .
(5) Subject to paragraph (2), the Department and the Authority shall carry out their respective gas functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated—
[F6(a)to promote the efficient use of gas and efficiency and economy in the conveyance, storage or supply of gas;]
(b)to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance, storage, supply or use of gas;
[F7(c)to secure a diverse, viable and environmentally sustainable long-term energy supply; and]
(d)to facilitate competition between persons whose activities consist of or include storing, supplying or participating in the conveyance of gas;
and shall have regard, in carrying out those functions, to the effect on the environment of activities connected with the conveyance, storage or supply of gas.
[F8(5A) In carrying out their respective gas functions the Department or the Authority shall not discriminate between persons whose activities consist of or include storing, supplying or participating in the conveyance of gas as regards either rights or obligations.]
F9[F10(5B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5C) For the purpose of paragraph (5A), the Authority may serve on any holder of a gas licence or any exemption holder a notice requiring that person to provide the Authority with such information, assistance or advice as may be specified in the notice and that holder shall comply with that requirement.]
(6) In this Article “gas functions” means—
(a)functions under Part II of the Gas Order; F11...
(b)functions under this Order [F12or the Energy Act (Northern Ireland) 2011] relating to gas [F13;
(c)the functions which the Department has under section 5 (so far as relating to gas) and section 7 of the Energy Prices Act 2022 (see Schedule 5 to that Act);
(d)the Authority’s function of giving directions under section 7(3) of the Energy Prices Act 2022;
(e)functions under regulations made under section 11(2) of the Energy Prices Act 2022;
(f)the power which the Department has under section 22 of the Energy Prices Act 2022 (by virtue of paragraph 1(1)(g) of Schedule 5 to that Act) to give a direction in connection with—
(i)the domestic gas price reduction scheme for Northern Ireland, or
(ii)regulations made under section 11(2) (so far as relating to gas)].
[F14(7) For the purposes of paragraph (5)(c) environmental sustainability includes the need to guard against climate change.]
F1Art. 14(1) substituted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 41
F2Words in art. 14(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530), regs. 1(1), 137(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F3Art. 14(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2006) by Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/358), reg. 13(1)
F4Words in art. 14(3) inserted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 4
F5Words in art. 14(4) added (1.4.2007) by Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2), 308(1), Sch. 12 para. 48(15) (with arts. 8(8), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F6Art. 14(5)(a) substituted (25.7.2014) by Energy Efficiency Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/198), reg. 5(a)
F7Art. 14(5)(c) substituted (1.10.2006) by Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/358), reg. 13(2)
F8Art. 14(5A) inserted (1.10.2006) by Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/358), reg. 13(3)
F9Art. 14(5B) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530), regs. 1(1), 137(3); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F10Art. 14(5B)(5C) inserted (25.7.2014) by Energy Efficiency Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/198), reg. 5(b)
F11Word in art. 14(6)(a) omitted (25.10.2022) by virtue of Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 7 para. 9(a) (with s. 29)
F12Words in art. 14(6)(b) inserted (21.3.2011) by Energy Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 6), ss. 9(2), 36(1); S.R. 2011/95, art. 2
F13Art. 14(6)(c)-(f) and semicolon inserted (25.10.2022) by Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44), s. 30(6), Sch. 7 para. 9(b) (with s. 29)
F14Art. 14(7) added (1.10.2006) by Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/358), reg. 13(4)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Art. 14 applied (1.10.2006) by Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/358), reg. 16
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Explanatory Memorandum sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Northern Ireland Order in Council and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Order accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Northern Ireland Order in Council made since 2002.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: