Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On 1 July 2014, a directive entitled EN 1090 came into force in Ireland. To simplify the issue, it essentially means that people around the country who have small or large fabrication works must get new quality assurance certification. The first problem was nobody knew about it, even though it was being kicked around in Europe for eight years. As people got word of it - I only got word last December - they began to highlight the needs that arise in this regard because Members should bear in mind that these people have come through a recession. They are people running small to medium-sized enterprises around the country with one, two, three or five people working in them. In order to comply and to get this EN 1090 qualification, which is similar to an ISO standard, figures started to emerge of costs between €15,000 to 3€0,000. This has created pandemonium in the entire sector. I telephoned a few Departments but could get no information. I was obliged to telephone England to find out what people there were doing about it and to have it clarified. What it entails is that an ordinary person in an ordinary shed in any part of Ireland, be it the Minister's native place or anywhere else, who carries out work in four different categories, including for farmers and builders, must have all their welds tested. There are also requirements such as participation in a welding co-ordinator course and certification. As for the paperwork, when one gets people with letters after their names, they seem to charge high fees to get one in line. Moreover, these enterprises cannot price for work and work is being lost in different regions at present because of this.

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