Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter. I fully appreciate Deputy Gogarty's motivation for raising this issue, as the safety of domestic natural gas consumers and the public in general is of paramount importance. However, the Minister has been advised by the Department's chief technical adviser and by Bord Gáis Éireann that as the pipeline contains gas not a liquid, there is no requirement for thermal insulation on any pipework from the meter to the house. The Minister has been advised that the lack of insulation has no implications for the safety of installations.

Having said that, the Minister wholeheartedly agrees that it is necessary that we as legislators and public representatives ensure that safety is placed high on the political agenda. In that context, I advise Deputies that the Government has this week approved the publication and initiation in this House of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. Among the provisions of the Bill are, inter alia, expanding the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation to include: the regulation of the activities of natural gas undertakings and natural gas installers, with respect to safety; the promotion of natural gas safety; consultation with the National Standards Authority of Ireland regarding gas safety standards; and the establishment and implementation of a natural gas safety framework.

The natural gas safety provisions will empower the Commission for Energy Regulation to direct natural gas undertakings to advise their customers and the public as to natural gas safety and regulate the standards of training of gas installers in regard to gas safety. The Minister looks forward to the support of Deputies in bringing the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to enactment when introduced to the House.

I will detail, for the benefit of the House, the statutory remit of Bord Gáis Éireann in regard to gas safety which will give more assurance as to the robust nature of the safety regime. Under its parent legislation, the Gas Act 1976, Bord Gáis Éireann is required to have regard for such safety requirements as are, in its opinion, necessary for the transmission and distribution of natural gas. Further functions were conferred on Bord Gáis Éireann under SI No. 238 of 1987, made under section 2(1)(c) of the Gas (Amendment) Act 1987 to ensure the safety of the public. Article 8 of that order requires that Bord Gáis Éireann refuse to supply gas, or refuse to continue to supply gas, if it is of the opinion that it would give rise to an abnormal risk affecting safety. The order also obliges Bord Gáis Éireann to exercise at all times the practices and standards of a prudent gas undertaking and to have regard to relevant international standards and practices. The standards in use in Ireland are consistent with the latest relevant CEN, European Committee for Standardisation, and ISO, International Organisation for Standardisation, standards.

Bord Gáis Éireann has established a comprehensive safety assurance programme, which enables the company to meet its obligations with respect to safety under this legislation. Gas is supplied only to installations that meet the requirements of this programme, one of which is that the installer has demonstrated the necessary competence in safe installations by completing the relevant FÁS course or holding an equivalent qualification. For quality assurance purposes, a quota of installations is inspected randomly after natural gas has been supplied. Where an installation is completed by an installer who is not registered with Bord Gáis Éireann, a mandatory inspection must take place before Bord Gáis Éireann will supply gas to the premises. This system is regularly audited.

The gas safety provisions in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will provide a statutory underpinning for this safety programme. It will also create an offence where certain works relating to gas installations are carried out by unregistered installers leaving such installers open to prosecution and the full rigour of the law.

Such new and important safety measures underline the Government's commitment to further enhancing the safety of natural gas consumers and the public and ensuring that Ireland continues to meet international best practice in regard to natural gas safety.

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