Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 503: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take steps to bring within the scope of the Commission for Energy Regulation the suppliers of bulk LPG gas who supply domestic consumers through a gas network in housing estates when such supply is specified in the planning conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4859/09]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 505: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether suppliers of bulk LPG gas for domestic use are to be within the remit of CER; whether he is aware of concerns over the price charged by suppliers of bulk LPG gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4919/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 505 together.

The transportation and supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is not licensed under the Energy Acts and neither my Department nor the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) have any role in the regulation of LPG transportation and supply. The regulation of the transportation of LPG by sea is a matter for the Maritime Safety Directorate under maritime safety legislation. Transportation overland and the safety regulation of storage facilities are covered by regulations governing the transportation and storage of dangerous substances, and by the Health, Safety and Welfare Act 2005.

Section 14 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 enables the CER's responsibilities to be extended to cover the activities of LPG undertakings and installers with respect to safety. My Department is liaising with the CER in regard to the commencement of this provision. I understand that the CER expects to publish final proposals on the safety regulation of the LPG industry in the near future. These proposals will inform a decision on the commencement of Section 14. I have no plans to extend the role of the CER beyond the regulatory role as envisaged under Section 14.

While the regulation of Bord Gáis Éireann natural gas tariffs is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions, the Commission has no function in regard to the setting of the retail price of LPG, which is a by-product of oil. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is no price control on petroleum products in Ireland. The National Consumer Agency has specific responsibilities for protecting the rights of consumers.