asked the Minister for Energy the co-ordination that exists between his Department and the Department of the Environment on aspects of safety related to the installation of electrical wiring and fittings in domestic and small commercial installations in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electrical Installations Safety Standards.
13.
Neither my Department, nor indeed the ESB, have a statutory obligation for the standards of safety or for any other standards relating to the wiring of domestic dwellings or to fittings in domestic dwellings nor in relation to the installation of electrical wiring and fittings in small commercial installations or elsewhere. The question of co-ordination between my Department and the Department of the Environment on this matter does not, therefore, arise.
The ESB's responsibility is confined to all wiring as far as the meter but it has been their practice, as an added contribution to security, to try to ensure—in so far as that can be done after constructions are complete—that hazardous features, not only from the point of view of safety of users, but also of safety and security of supply to their customers, are not incorporated in the installation.
Is the Minister aware that the certificate required by the ETCI, the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland, for all installations of electrical wiring which the ESB require before connecting supply, can be bought over the counter from the IIRS without the production of any kind of qualifying certificate? Will the Minister not agree, in view of the number of fires which have taken place in houses over the last few years which were directly attributable to faulty wiring, that there is a need for the ESB to review this as they are the only body supplying electricity in the country?
The Deputy has a later question down on that point. It might be better to wait until then when I will answer it.