Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45067/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Under section 4 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has the responsibility to regulate the activities of electrical contractors with respect to safety. In November 2007, the Commission published the decision paper “Vision for the Regulation of Electrical Contractors with respect to Safety” (CER/07/203) which sets out the Commission’s high-level approach to the regulation of electrical contractors with respect to safety. Most recently, I have given CER consent to draft regulations designating Restricted Electrical Works under Section 9 (E) subsection (1) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 inserted by the Energy Miscellaneous Act 2006 and this work is underway. Once these works are designated it will be illegal for anyone other than a Registered Electrical Contractor to complete these works.

For clarity, the CER recommends that only Registered Electrical Contractors are used to complete electrical work, regardless of whether that electrical work is covered by the aforementioned proposed regulations. Separately, the Minister for Justice and Equality has introduced SI No. 144 of 2012, the Private Security (Licensing and Standards) Regulations 2012, which introduces new licensing requirements for personnel involved in the installation of CCTV and access control (among other activities). These regulations and any review of these regulations are not within my remit.

It is recognised that the installation of CCTV and access control (among other activities) may include some electrical work that will fall under this licensing requirement. Being licensed under the Private Security (Licensing and Standards) Regulations 2012 is not a substitute for being a Registered Electrical Contractor and does not satisfy the recommendation that only Registered Electrical Contractors be used to complete electrical work.