Gas Networks Ireland engaged in a “clear breach of trust” when it covered up the overrun on a pipeline project, the independent energy regulator has said.

An investigation into “serious financial impropriety” in Gas Networks Ireland north and south of the border has resulted in a fine of £500,000 (€644,122) in the North and sanctions against four employees of the company in the Republic, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has defended Irish Water’s metering programme despite officials from Ervia questioning the need to spend €540m on rolling out meters to the country’s 1.5m homes.

Ervia has launched an investigation into allegations of financial misappropriation, made by a former employee. The allegation concerns a senior figure in the state gas company.

Just over 1,000 domestic gas or electricity accounts were disconnected during the month of June.

Bord Gáis Eireann has reported an overall after-tax loss of €169m for 2013, driven by nearly €300m inexceptional charges.

People unhappy with Irish Water have no independent means of redress, ombudsman Peter Tyndall said yesterday.

The country’s coffers are to be boosted by more than €1bn as the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy are expected to be lodged with the Government in the first half of the year.

THERE is nothing secret about it and nothing that will be secret about it. This was the Taoiseach’s defence of Irish Water, which he told the Dáil yesterday will be fully accountable and fully transparent.

Siptu’s energy division is expected to hammer out a deal with Bord Gáis Energy to protect their members’ interests as the company is sold to a private consortium led by Centrica.

Bord Gáis Éireann has invited Blackstone Group LP and power companies Viridian Group Ltd and Centrica Plc to make final offers for its retail unit by Nov 25, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Bord Gáis was prosecuted yesterday by the Data Protection Commission for sending an email promoting a charitable fundraiser which ended up netting €150,000 for St Vincent de Paul.

Nearly a thousand water meters will be installed at homes every day from next week as plans to impose charges get under way.

MUNSTER U21 HC SEMI-FINAL:

Today is the last day that companies can submit bids to buy the retail and power generation unit of the semi-State gas company Bord Gáis.

Bord Gáis Éireann has announced that it has commenced the sale process for Bord Gáis Energy, its energy business, and will be issuing an information memorandum to potential bidders.

While National Treasury Management Agency chief John Corrigan hails the news that his organisation has raised €5bn of 10-year money, the austerity programme is strangling life for many Irish citizens, says Kyran Fitzgerald

Funding cuts to a scheme providing personal panic alarms for the elderly could be partly reversed if Phil Hogan, the environment minister, can find savings elsewhere in his budget.

Bord Gáis has put out tenders for one million water meters, which will be provided over the next few years.

Water shortages are looming after local authority workers threatened industrial action if they are not consulted properly over the setting up of Irish Water.

More than 300 small businesses have gained specific, free and confidential expert advice as part of a programme given its formal national launch yesterday in Dublin.

Irish Water is going to be the biggest and could be the most important State-owned asset created by an Irish government.

Bord Gáis says it can save €120m in start-up costs if it is given the task of establishing the proposed national Irish Water utility — expected to serve more than 1.5m customers by 2014.

OBJECTORS to a proposed €500 million gas terminal on the Shannon Estuary have described a recent statement by Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte as a “game changer”.

SOME 270 firms in Cork, the south-east and the mid-west have signed up for the Small Business Advice programme, a new service sponsored by Bord Gáis Eireann and supported by Plato.

A programme set up to help small businesses has helped nearly 250 firms since its inception 18 months ago, it has been revealed.

Policy context of asset sales

THE title of Cork Institute of Technology Entrepreneur of the Year 2011, and a cash prize of €4,000, has been awarded to Myles Murray of PMD Solutions, a student of CIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

FULL exploitation of Ireland’s ocean energy has the potential to create 70,000 jobs and add up to €120 billion to the wealth of the economy, according to Bord Gáis Éireann CEO John Mullins.

A MAJOR hurdle has been cleared in a proposal to build a €500 million gas- powered electricity plant on the Shannon Estuary.

FORMER Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) chief executive Gerry Walsh has settled on undisclosed terms his High Court action in which he claimed entitlement to an additional €2 million sum from the company arising from a letter signed by former BGE chairman Michael Conlon.

FORMER Cork hurling star Ger Cunningham feels Tipperary will “feel the pressure” as favourites in Sunday’s Munster SHC clash with Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

AER LINGUS yesterday published results that are unsustainable and unless the company can reverse its fortunes its long-term future must be questionable.

THE outgoing chief executive of Bord Gáis Gerry Walsh yesterday called on the company to honour his seven-year-old employment contract relating to his retirement from his €316,000-a-year job.

Plans to grant an operating licence for the controversial Corrib gas onshore terminal in Co Mayo were tonight facing further delays after over 10 objections were lodged.

A GOVERNMENT minister was today accused of being dishonest towards older people by twice announcing a fuel allowance increase.

A Government minister was today accused of being dishonest towards older people by twice announcing a fuel allowance increase.

THE natural gas network in the North is to be hugely extended, it was announced yesterday.

THE energy regulator Tom Reeves has selected two preferred bidders for contracts to build two new independent power generation plants.