Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that the consumer receives the benefit of competition and competitive prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6080/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 provides for the assignment of responsibility in relation to gas safety matters, to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Statutory Instrument No 68 of 2008 made on 11 March 2008 provided, inter alia, for the commencement of those provisions of the Act concerning the regulation of the activities of gas installers with respect to safety and related matters.

As part of the new gas safety regime, the CER has recently appointed the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). The RGII is responsible for registering gas installers and regulating their activities with respect to safety. It is expected that this new regulatory system will be fully operational by mid year. At that time, gas works may only be carried out by registered installers, in accordance with safety requirements specified by the CER.

I understand that Bord Gáis Networks currently maintains a Register of Gas Installers as a transitional measure towards the new mandatory regime. That register consists of gas installers and service agents, who have completed the required gas installation safety training and provide the necessary insurance cover to carry out gas installations to the required industry standard. The register includes a list of dedicated engineers who service domestic gas boilers. The charge for this service has increased from €99 (not €90 as stated by the Deputy) to €105 over the past year.

Gas service agents operate in a fully competitive market and customers are not obliged to have domestic boilers serviced by engineers from the register. The CER has no function in regard to charges imposed by gas service agents.