Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - Legislation on Energy.

Robert Molloy

Question:

228 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the titles of all energy legislation introduced since 1 January 1993; the legislation at present being drafted; the plans, if any, he has for future legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6168/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

Details of energy legislation introduced since 1 January 1993, legislation presently being drafted and plans for future legislation are outlined in the following schedule.

SCHEDULE

Primary Legislation introduced since 1 January 1993.

(1) Gas (Amendment) Act, 1993

(2) Minerals Development Bill, 1995 (introduced in Dáil Éireann on 9 March 1995).

Secondary Legislation introduced since 1 January 1993.

(1) Continental Shelf (Designated Areas) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 92 of 1993).

(2) Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (General Control of Radioactive Substances, Nuclear Devices and Irradiating Apparatus) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 151 of 1993).

(3) Gas Act, 1976 (Section 40A) (Exemption) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 166 of 1993).

(4) Petroleum Oils (Regulation or Control of Acquisition, Supply, Distribution or Marketing) (Continuance) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 403 of 1993).

(5) European Communities (Protection of Outside Workers from Ionising Radiation) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 144 of 1994).

(6) Fuels (Petroleum Oils) (Amendment) Order, 1994 (S.I. No. 170 of 1994).

(7) European Communities (Efficiency Requirements for New Hot Water Boilers Fired with Liquid or Gaseous Fuels) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 260 of 1994).

(8) European Communities (Supervision and Control of Certain Shipments of Radioactive Waste) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 276 of 1994).

(9) Minerals Development (Amendment) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. 319 of 1994).

(10) Petroleum Oils (Regulation or Control of Acquisition, Supply, Distribution or Marketing) (Continuance) Order, 1994 (S.I. No. 423 of 1994).

Legislation presently being drafted

(1) Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, to provide for a variety of matters in relation to the production, supply, sale, transmission, distribution and use of certain forms of energy and matters incidental to those activities.

(2) Electricity Bill, to give effect to a restructured electricity industry.

(3) Regulations to amend S.I. No. 260 of 1994 laying down new arrangements concerning the affixing of the European Union's conformity marking to various products including boilers.

(4) Regulations to give legal effect in the State to Directives 92/75/EC and 94/2/EC concerning the energy labelling of household electric mains-operated refrigerators, freezers and their combinations.

(5) European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations, 1995.

(6) A draft Statutory Instrument is being prepared to enable Ireland to give effect to Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 30 May 1994 on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons.

Plans for future legislation

The question of further legislation in relation to minerals prospecting or development will be considered when the Report of the National Minerals Policy Review Group (established in April 1994) is completed within the next few months.

My Department is constantly reviewing the need for new and amending legislation at all levels and as part of its general function will continue to introduce appropriate legislation as the need arises.