14.—(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.
(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—
(a)the need to protect 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 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.
(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—
(a)to promote the efficient use of gas;
(b)to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance, storage, supply or use of gas;
(c)to secure a diverse and viable 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.
(6) In this Article “gas functions” means—
(a)functions under Part II of the Gas Order; and
(b)functions under this Order relating to gas.
15.—(1) Article 14 does not apply in relation to functions of the Department under—
(a)Article 40 of the Gas Order; or
(b)Article 61.
(2) Article 14 does not apply in relation to anything done by the Authority in the exercise of functions under—
(a)Article 23(3) of the Gas Order; or
(b)Article 8.
(3) The Authority may nevertheless, when exercising any function under Article 23(3) of the Gas Order, have regard to any matter in respect of which a duty is imposed by Article 14 if it is a matter to which the Office of Fair Trading could have regard when exercising that function.
(4) The duties imposed by Article 14 do not affect the obligation of the Authority or the Department to perform or comply with any other duty or requirement (whether arising under this Order or another statutory provision, by virtue of any Community obligation or otherwise).