Three amendments have been sent from the Seanad in connection with this Bill, and I am recommending the Committee to agree with all three. The first amendment is a new section which should appear before Section 7:—
New section. Before Section 7 a new section inserted as follows:—
"7.—(1) A buyer of gas supplied by means of a meter installed on premises in an area in which the jurisdiction conferred by the Act of 1859 is for the time being not exercisable may, unless such meter has been stamped by a special inspector of meters under Section 6 (which relates to the stamping of meters in areas in which the Act of 1859 is not in force) of this Act, by notice in writing require the person by whom such gas is so supplied to remove such meter from such premises and procure the same to be tested by an inspector of meters appointed by a local authority under the Act of 1859 and if found correct to be stamped under that Act as amended by this Act accordingly.
(2) If on the testing of a meter pursuant to a requisition under this section such meter is found to be correct the expenses of the removal, testing and stamping of such meter pursuant to such requisition shall be borne by the buyer by whom such requisition was made and in every other case such expenses shall be borne by the person on whom such requisition was made."
This point, as a matter of fact, was raised in the Dáil, and it amounts to this: In the areas where the Act of 1859 is exercisable a consumer under that Act was always entitled to demand an inspection or re-verification of the meters. If it turned out that the meter was correct the consumer paid, and, if wrong, the company paid. The point here was whether areas not under the 1859 Act would have the same right. I pointed out that the consumers in those areas had the same right as in the areas where the Act was exercisable. It seems to be not entirely free from doubt, although I am advised that the matter is quite clear. The Seanad, however, decided to insert this amendment, putting the matter beyond all doubt that the consumers in those particular areas have the same rights with regard to verification of meters. I move that we accept this amendment.
Agreed.
