Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he will take to curb the uncertified and unregulated gas boiler installers here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 confers on the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) specific functions in the area of safety regulation of the natural gas industry. The legislation provides for natural gas installers to be registered as a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). It is a legal requirement that any gas works carried out on domestic gas installations may be carried out only by a Registered Gas Installer. The CER intends to consult next year on a proposal to extend this requirement to the carrying out of gas works on commercial installations.

The CER discharges its gas safety responsibility through the implementation of a Natural Gas Safety Regulatory Framework. The Framework has been in operation for five years. Since 2009, it has included a system for the regulation, certification, ongoing inspection of work and investigation of complaints regarding the competence of any particular natural gas installer. The legislation provides for prosecution through the court system of unregistered gas installers. The CER has attained three successful prosecutions to date in cases where unregistered installers have completed domestic gas works.

It is the responsibility of the public to ensure that they engage only registered installers. The CER is responsible for promoting the safety of natural gas and may direct a natural gas undertaking to engage in campaigns promoting natural gas safety. Campaigns encourage consumers to use only registered installers for the completion of gas works in a domestic setting and highlight that it is a legal requirement for anyone carrying out domestic gas works to be a registered gas installer. The 2012 campaign utilised TV, radio, online display, and search engines to reach its target audience. The details of the 2013 campaign have yet to be finalised.

Safety is a matter of highest priority for the CER and the regulator is currently undertaking a review of the Framework with a view to maximising its effectiveness. An initial consultation paper was published over the summer period and a further consultation is due to be carried out over the coming months.

Finally, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has significant responsibilities in regard to health and safety in the workplace including gas works carried out in a commercial setting.