Seanad debates

Wednesday, 9 April 2003

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

The legislation, apparently supported by those in the best position to know what is safe, is recognised by everybody to fill a gap in terms of consumer protection. I accept that there are certain matters to be addressed in respect of connection, but an enormous amount of domestic electrical work does not involve new connections. What satisfactory guarantee can a consumer have that existing regulations are being adhered to when he has an electric shower installed? This is a classic, high-risk case because it involves levels of electrical current that could do enormous damage. If the consumer uses an electrical contractor who is a participant in RECI, he has some guarantee. Otherwise he has no guarantee that the electrician who comes to his home is a member of a body that insists on minimum standards, nor has he any method or receiving recompense for shoddy workmanship. This is not simply a question of whether a washing machine or lawnmower works or whether a garage does a proper maintenance job on one's car. Safety, the primary motivating factor behind the Bill, is something people take too much for granted.

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