Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
572. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends to ensure compliance with the legal requirement that all existing buildings let or sold after 1 January 09 have to have a BER rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4599/13]
View answerThe EU (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012 transposed Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (recast) into Irish Law, replacing an earlier directive from 2002 which had been transposed in 2006. Under these Regulations all owners of buildings offered for sale or letting (including dwellings used for social housing) are required to provide persons who express an interest in availing of the building with a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate, which classifies the energy performance of the building or home concerned, and advises on further measures that can be taken to further improve energy performance.
The Regulations also require the owner, or any agent acting on their behalf, to produce a copy of the BER certificate on demand to the local Building Control Authority. Failure by an owner or their agent to produce a BER certificate on demand may, if proceedings are initiated, result in a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment or both.
While Ireland’s Building Energy Rating system has been in place since 2006 and is well-established, it is anticipated that the requirement to advertise ratings which came into effect from 9 January 2013 will greatly assist compliance due to its visibility in the marketplace. In this regard, the new Regulations require a person, or agent, to state the energy performance indicator of the current Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate for the building in any advertisements, including newspaper notices, web-based notices, leaflets and other notices.
My Department also continues to work closely with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (who are the issuing authority tasked with the day to day administration of the BER system) to promote awareness of the BER system and to guide and assist individuals, property agents and industry in general in meeting their obligations.
