There’s a moment of hesitation when you pick up a shovel and plan to dig in your garden or on a construction site. That hesitation is the right instinct — hitting an underground gas pipe could have consequences that go far beyond a repair bill. This guide covers exactly who to call before you dig in Ireland, the safe distances you need to respect, and the legal obligations that every digger should know.

Emergency Contact Number: 1800 42 77 47 (Gas Networks Ireland) ·
Alternative Contact: 1850 42 77 47 (RGI) ·
ESB Networks: dig@esb.ie

Quick snapshot

1Call Before You Dig
2Safe Digging Distances
  • Hand dig within 0.5m of gas pipes
  • Keep 1m away from electrical cables
  • Use a cable avoidance tool (CAT) to locate buried services
3Utility Depth Chart
  • Gas pipe: 750mm (private land), 600mm (footpath)
  • Electric cable: 450mm
  • Water pipe: 750mm