Mr. James Egan:

Another example of the problem highlighted by the Deputy is provided by the taxis that were displaying advertisements on the back of them in relation to RGII. I do not know the exact specifics of the case mentioned, although I have heard something about it. My understanding of the regulation - I may be incorrect - is that while industrial and commercial boilers are not covered, a domestic boiler fitted in an industrial or commercial premises is covered. My understanding is that in the case in question a domestic boiler was fitted in a commercial premises. Again, I cannot be sure about this.

I would like to make an important point. People who have problems in their homes are not being told to contact RGII to make a complaint; rather, they are being told to contact Bord Gáis Networks or Gas Networks Ireland. Each year approximately 19,000 calls are made to Bord Gáis Networks and 4,000 plus safety clamps are installed in people's homes. Bord Gáis does not investigate the cause of the problem in the house. Up until recently, it had not been telling people that they must contact RGII about such problems. It is reasonable to assume that if a domestic customer with a problem in his or her home contacts Bord Gáis, the problem will be dealt with. When the CEO of Bord Gáis Networks appeared before the committee, he said that in such cases a Bord Gáis representative would call to the house and clamp the meter. He said that was the sole responsibility of Bord Gáis Networks, but I do not understand how that can be allowed.

Following on from that, we asked that people whose supply had been safely disconnected be given the AHPCI leaflet, but that is not being done. The leaflet informs people who have had work done in their homes, in respect of which a problem has arisen and as a result of which their meters have been clamped, that they should report the matter to RGII, which will then send a representative to the house to investigate the matter.