Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The National Standards Authority of Ireland, through its gas technical standards committee, establishes the Irish technical standards and codes of practice for the safe transmission, distribution and utilisation of natural gas. These standards are based on international best practice in the sector and underpin the content for the training syllabi of gas installers. In addition, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, has programmes promoting the improved training of central heating installers with particular emphasis on energy efficient technologies. The scope of the amendments proposed by the Deputy is far too narrow.

The proposed additional functions of the commission regarding downstream natural gas safety, including the regulation and certification of installers and the proposed regulatory framework, are set out in section 12. The Bill meets all the Deputy's concerns in this regard.

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