Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

How many inspectors are attached to the CER? When replying to that question, the CER representative might also respond to two specific points raised by the AHPCI.

One relates to the insurance dimension; it is similar to the issue of the inclusion of alarms in the household insurance process. What communications have there been with the insurance industry? There is a proposal that legislation needs to be introduced to force merchants to sell boilers only to registered contractors. We should take that on board and fully support it if it is a legislative issue. Does the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, have a view on this or support such a process?

How many merchants are there? The contractors have indicated they have a good relationship with merchants, so why have they not initiated a type of publicity campaign in association with merchants, such as putting up signs in shops? I appreciate that they may argue it is a matter for somebody else, but as they are directly affected, have they gone down that road and would the merchants respond to that?

In the context of an answer to the question about the number of merchants, inspectors and resources, is it feasible for the CER to give a tap on a shoulder at the point of sale, asking whether somebody is registered? Mr. Giffney mentioned a figure of 20 boilers sold every day. My colleague, Deputy Moynihan, wished to ask about the statistic that emerged in the last exchange with Bord Gáis that there are 4,000 households that have had appliances clamped, presumably because of health or safety issues. Could the CER use that as a starting point and liaise with Bord Gáis to identify the problem with those 4,000 households? At least that would result in progress in specific areas identified as allegedly suffering safety issues as a result of improper installation by allegedly illegal boiler installers.