Vol. 312 No. 6
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will ensure that the practice whereby completion certificates in respect of electrical wiring may be bought across the counter by anyone from the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland offices will cease, in view of the obvious dangers involved.
22.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he considers it desirable that a register of contractors for the electrical trade be established to help to bring about standardisation of at least minimal standards of public service in this regard; the proposals, if any, with respect to the in-troduction of such regulations, or to allow any of the professional organisations in this area to introduce such a register of qualified electrical contractors.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
I understand that electrical contractors may obtain, for completion in respect of wiring installations or repairs undertaken by them, blank forms of certificate from a number of sources including the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland.
The availability, in itself, of blank forms of the certificate referred to cannot be regarded as facilitating substandard work with consequent hazards to life and property. Alternative forms of certificate can be and are used. It is the misuse of certificates which creates hazards.
I understand that for some years past the question of establishing a register of approved electrical contractors has been under consideration. The maintenance of such a register might provide some protection for the public against substandard electrical work, but I am not convinced that more effective measures could not be adopted to achieve this object.
In view of the present unsatisfactory situation I intend to start consultations immediately with the relevant interests concerned, including other Ministers, with a view to establishing the best possible procedures to protect the public interest in this area of activity.
23.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if small electrical fittings, plugs and so on are subject to price control; and, if so, if he is satisfied with the implementation of such control.
Irish manufacturers of electrical equipment, including small fittings, come within the scope of the Prices and Charges (Notification of Increases) Order, 1979. Importers and wholesalers are also subject to this order.
I understand that very few complaints have been received about the price of small electrical fittings. However, if the Deputy has received any complaint regarding the price of such goods and provides me with the relevant details, I will arrange to have the matter investigated.
Is the Minister aware that in Dublin it is common to find a wide variation in the prices of similar commodities such as plugs and adapters, that in some cases an item of this kind can cost twice as much in one retail outlet as in another? Is the Minister satisfied that the cheaper type fittings are sufficiently safe for use?
I would refer the Deputy to the original question in which there was no reference to the aspect of safety. The question was concerned mainly with the question of whether these items are within the scope of the Prices and Charges (Notification of Increases) Order, 1979. If the Deputy has specific complaints I shall be glad to have them investigated but I would remind him that any member of the public is entitled to complain to the Priceline offices in any part of the country where they operate. I am sure he will be glad to hear that of the 4,000 complaints received by the Priceline in 1978 only ten related to the prices of small electrical fittings which included elements, flexes, plugs and rings and that all of these were resolved satisfactorily.
It would be easy for anybody to witness the discrepancies in price in Dublin so far as these appliances are concerned. For instance, in some cases the prices in supermarkets for appliances similar to those being sold in electrical shops are only half the prices being charged in the electrical shops.
If the Deputy lets me have details of any specific case, I shall have it investigated.
Would it not be easy for the Minister to send her inspectors out to investigate the situation?
I am inviting Deputy Belton to let me have details of any specific case and on receipt of such evidence I would have the matter investigated.
With 60 inspectors at her disposal, would it not be easier for the Minister to do this work?
I have reminded the Deputy that of the 4,000 complaints received last year only ten related to the area under discussion.
That is a different issue. The Minister is changing ground.
It is well known that throughout the country supermarkets are selling these appliances at half the prices being charged for them elsewhere.
I am inviting Deputies to produce the concrete evidence.
It should be easy for the Minister's inspectors to find evidence of this situation.
