‘Dial Before You Dig’
Importance of checking before carrying out groundworks
With farmers from across Ireland attending the National Ploughing Championships this week, Gas Networks Ireland is using the event to put gas pipeline safety firmly on the agenda, urging farmers and landowners to ‘Dial Before You Dig’ before carrying out work that involves excavation.
The call comes as new figures show that three instances of potentially unsafe activity near gas transmission 1 pipelines were recorded in Tipperary during 2025.
Encouragingly, no instances have been recorded in Tipperary so far in 2026, but Gas Networks Ireland is reminding farmers and landowners that checking for underground infrastructure before starting work is an important step in keeping people safe.
There were also 15 accidental third-party hits to gas distribution2 pipelines in Tipperary during 2025, highlighting the wider importance of checking for underground gas infrastructure before carrying out excavation or other groundworks.
There are almost 400 kilometres of gas pipeline in Tipperary, serving over 8,600 homes and businesses with gas transmission pipelines running through the land of more than 270 landowners across the county.
Gas Networks Ireland will be at the National Ploughing Championships to speak directly with farmers, landowners and contractors about the importance of checking for the location of underground gas pipelines before breaking ground.
For farmers and landowners, activities such as ditch clearing, drainage work, excavation, fencing and other groundworks can bring machinery close to underground infrastructure. Checking the location of gas pipelines before work begins is an important step in keeping people safe and protecting the gas network.
More farmers and landowners are checking before they dig
There has however been an encouraging increase in people using Gas Networks Ireland’s Dial Before You Dig service. In 2025 over 37,000 requests were made nationwide – an increase of almost 40% on 2024.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Health, Safety and Quality, Paul O’Brien, said: “There are thousands of kilometres of gas pipelines running underground across Ireland, with the majority of transmission pipelines crossing farmland.
“Our figures show that potentially unsafe activity near gas transmission pipelines continues to occur more than once a week, with ditch clearing the most common activity.
“The good news is that more people are taking the time to check before they dig. We received 37,000 Dial Before You Dig requests last year. We want to see that number continue to grow. Whether you are cleaning a ditch, carrying out drainage work, putting up fencing or using machinery to excavate, Dial Before You Dig before you start work.
“It is a simple step that can help prevent damage to underground infrastructure and, most importantly, help keep people safe.”
Gas Networks Ireland's Dial Before You Dig service provides information, advice and maps on the gas pipeline network.
If you’re planning or undertaking any excavation work, it is essential to check for the location of gas pipes by calling 1800 42 77 47, emailing dig@gasnetworks.ie or registering for a Dial Before You Dig Online account at www.gasnetworks.ie/dial.