A NAME CHANGE for Bord Gáis Eireann was signed into law today, with Ervia now the energy provider’s official title.

However, it has been described as simply a corporate name, with customers still dealing with either Irish Water or Gas Networks Ireland.

Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte said this afternoon that it was to reflect “its role as the parent of two significant Irish infrastructure and services businesses”.

Previously speaking on the topic of this name change, Minister Rabbitte said the costs involved would be kept to a minimum, with no marketing campaign launched to promote the new name.

“Éire” and “via”

“The word “Ervia” is based on the Irish word “Éire” and the Latin word “via” and is intended to capture BGE’s new role as the parent company of Irish Water together with Gas Networks Ireland, the subsidiary of BGE which will have responsibility for the gas networks infrastructure and interconnectors, which are to remain in State ownership,”  he told the Seanad.

In a colourful engage at committee stage, some deputies were apprehensive of this name change, with Independent TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan suggesting “An Bord Imithe”, and saying that Ervia “sounds like Esperanto”.

“I do not think so; I do not think there is a Spanish tinge to this at all,” the Minister retorted.

Japanese soldier

The Minister described the concerns of another independent, Thomas Pringle who objected to the sale of Bord Gáis after its brand had been built up over the years, as “a bit like the Japanese soldier who came out of the forest waving his sword a number of years after the end of the Second World War”.

“The war is not over,” Pringle replied.

Bord Gáis Energy was sold last December for €1.12 billion to a a consortium headed British multinational Centrica plc which operates under the name British Gas in the UK market.

Winning bid

Brookfield Renewable Power and iCON Infrastructure are also part of the consortium that have made the winning bid.

Initial bids had not reached the government’s valuation, however this consortium returned with an increased offering.

Read: State companies should exist on a ‘level playing field’ – Rabbitte >

Sold: Government selects winning €1.12 billion bid for Bord Gáis Energy >