Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputies Pádraig O’Sullivan and Michael Moynihan for giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. I reiterate that the Minister has no function in the appointment of the Register of Gas Installers Ireland as the safety supervisory body for gas. That being said, the Minister is, of course, concerned with anything that could potentially lead to increased costs being passed on to consumers. However, it is important to ensure consumer protection and safety.

The scheme is required to operate on a not-for-profit basis and a self-funding model. The CRU receives no Exchequer funding and is financed through the levy on industry we just discussed. As I am sure the Deputies are aware, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is accountable to a joint committee of the Oireachtas which provides an appropriate forum for all Deputies to raise concerns such as this one directly with the regulator.

I will also raise the points made by both Deputies with the Minister and ask him whether it comes within his remit to write to the commission about this issue.

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