Before any ground is broken, Gas Networks Ireland is urging farmers, landowners and contractors to take one simple but potentially life-saving step: always “Dial Before You Dig”.
According to Paul O’Brien, head of Health, Safety and Quality (HSQ) at Gas Networks Ireland, excavation activity on farmland remains one of the biggest risks to the national gas network.
“Gas is very safe when it’s contained within the pipelines and equipment it’s designed for and when it’s treated with respect,” Paul explains. “The danger arises when pipelines are damaged and accidental damage to the network is actually one of the biggest threats we face.”
With over 14,700 km of underground gas pipelines operating nationwide and supplying energy to over 700,000 homes, farms and businesses, these pipelines often run through agricultural land unnoticed.
“People may not realise infrastructure is present beneath the ground,” Paul stresses. “That awareness gap is important because if someone starts excavation work without checking first, the risk of striking a pipeline increases significantly.”
The consequences can be severe. Damaging a gas pipeline can lead to gas leaks, service disruption, costly repairs, property damage, serious injury or even worse.
“It’s really important that if anybody damages the network, even if they don’t suspect a leak, they contact Gas Networks Ireland immediately,” Paul advises.
Contact Gas Networks Ireland immediately on 1800 20 50 50 (a 24-hour emergency number).
Everyday farm activities can pose risks
Ground disturbance is a common part of many farming and contracting jobs. Routine farming operations such as ploughing, tillage and cultivation generally do not pose a risk to underground infrastructure.
Greater care is needed when carrying out activities that involve excavation machinery. As Paul explains, “Drainage works, ditch clearing, trenching, fencing, excavations for sheds or buildings, and even installing fence posts can all potentially strike underground services.”
Without the proper checks, these types of groundworks can damage underground infrastructure and create serious safety risks. That’s why Paul’s advice is clear: if you're planning any work that involves breaking ground, always dial before you dig.
Dial Before You Dig is a free service designed to prevent accidents
Gas Networks Ireland’s “Dial Before You Dig” service is a free service designed to help farmers, contractors and landowners work safely around underground gas infrastructure.
The service provides up-to-date maps, expert advice and safety guidance before work begins. Information can be accessed online, by phone or by email, while the online platform allows registered users to access maps 24/7 and has become an important planning tool for those carrying out excavation works.
The figures underline the demand for the service. In 2025 alone, Gas Networks Ireland responded to over 3,600 emails and received over 800 phone calls through its dedicated phoneline. Despite this, there were still over 520 instances of third-party damage to the gas distribution network — highlighting the ongoing importance of awareness and prevention.
Safety support on the ground
For works taking place near high-pressure transmission pipelines, Gas Networks Ireland can also provide additional on-site support free of charge.
“If people are working close to our high-pressure transmission network, we can dispatch a pipeline inspector to the site,” Paul adds. “They will physically mark out the location of the pipeline on the ground, which is the most effective way to ensure damage is avoided.”
This support forms part of Gas Network Ireland’s wider commitment to maintaining one of Europe’s safest and most modern gas networks.
As head of HSQ, Paul leads safety and compliance across the entire network lifecycle, from design and construction through to operation and maintenance, supporting the safe operation of the network and the communities, landowners and farmers who work around it.
“At a basic level, my role is about ensuring we put safety first in everything we do,” Paul says. “But ultimately it’s about protecting our people, the public and the integrity of the network.”
Building awareness across rural Ireland
Gas Networks Ireland continues to promote excavation safety through public awareness initiatives, including the recent “Keith the Badger” campaign, aimed at helping reinforce the importance of checking before digging.
“Everybody working in proximity to underground infrastructure has an obligation to protect themselves and others from the risks associated with their work,” Paul highlights.
Before beginning any excavation project, Gas Networks Ireland advises farmers, landowners and contractors to:
“A quick check can prevent a serious incident and could ultimately save lives,” Paul emphasises.
For more information or to access the free Dial Before You Dig service:
Online: gasnetworks.ie/dig
Phone: 1800 427 747
Email: dig@gasnetworks.ie
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