Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I cannot accept this amendment because through its gas technical standards committee, the National Standards Authority of Ireland established the Irish technical standards and code of practice for the safe transmission, distribution and utilisation of natural gas. These standards are based on international best practice in the sector. They underpin the content for the training syllabi for the gas installers. Sustainable Energy Ireland has programmes to promote improved training of central heating installers, with a particular emphasis on energy efficient technologies. The scope of the Senator's amendment is far too narrow and the Bill is much wider than that. The proposed additional functions of the commission on downstream natural gas safety, including the regulation and certification of installers and the proposed regulatory framework, are set out in section 12.