Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the protocol for the registration of building energy rating assessors in order that persons who have passed the necessary examinations may be registered prior to the issuing of certificates to them by FETAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23929/09]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the point in the sale of a property at which it is required that a building energy rating certificate is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23934/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.

I am advised by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) that arrangements are now in place to facilitate early registration for fully certified assessors who are still awaiting the receipt of their certificates from FETAC.

There are currently over 2,700 persons registered with SEI as BER assessors for dwellings, a far higher number of assessors than is required to meet current and anticipated demand for BER certificates in the market place. I understand that SEI strongly advises that applicants for registration review the number of BER assessors who are already servicing their intended target area in order to ensure that they are satisfied with the potential business opportunity before investing money in registering with SEI. A database of all registered BER assessors, searchable by county, is included on SEI's web pages (www.sei.ie).

A Building Energy Rating must be available to prospective buyers or tenants when a building is offered for sale or letting. The European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 –2008 require any person who offers a building for sale or letting on or from 1 January, 2009 or any agent acting on their behalf, to produce a copy of the BER certificate relating to the building to any person expressing an interest in purchasing or taking a letting in the building. A person who contravenes these requirements commits an offence, unless the building in question is specifically exempted under Article 3 of the Regulations, and is liable, on prosecution by the Building Control Authority in whose functional area the building is situated, to a fine not exceeding €5,000.