Written Answers. - Gas Supply.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:
401
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the regulations which apply to the installation of gas in domestic dwellings; the controls which exist to assure the competence of companies or individuals who install gas pipings and fittings; the regulations which control the safety standards of the piping and fittings used in domestic gas installation; the qualifications a person must possess before they may be competent to install gas; his plans to introduce new regulations in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24786/03]
Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976 requires Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, which was established under that Act, to have regard for such safety requirements as are necessary in the transmission and distribution of natural gas.
Further functions were conferred on BGE in ensuring the safety of the public under Statutory Instrument No. 238 of 1987, which was made under section 2(1)(c) of the Gas (Amendment) Act 1987. Article 8 of that order requires that BGE shall refuse to supply gas or refuse to continue to supply gas if it is of the opinion that it would give rise to an abnormal risk affecting safety. The order also obliges BGE to exercise at all times the practices and standards of a prudent gas undertaking and to have regard to relevant international standards and practices.
In 1987 BGE established its current safety assurance programme, which enables the company to meet its obligations under this legislation. Gas is supplied without mandatory inspection only to installations that meet the requirements of this programme, one of which is that the installer has demonstrated the necessary competence in safe installations by completing the relevant FÁS course or holding an equivalent qualification. A random selection of installations is inspected after natural gas has been supplied. This system is regularly audited.
The Gas Technical Standards Committee, GTSC, was formed in 1981 with the objective of advising the National Standards Authority of Ireland on what Irish standards and codes of practice are necessary for products and processes used in the gas industry, with particular regard to safety. The GTSC comprises the representatives of: the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Health and Safety Authority; the National Standards Authority of Ireland; Bord Gáis Éireann; and the Irish Liquid Petroleum Gas Association. The standards cover all aspects of the supply and usage of both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, LPG. The relevant areas of coverage are: transmission of gas, distribution of gas through urban networks, services to installations in all kinds of buildings, and gas appliances for domestic and commercial use. Another important focus of the committee's work is the continued harmonisation of Irish standards with European standards, in co-operation with CEN, the European Standards Organisation.
Investigations are ongoing into recent incidents involving gas safety. The GTSC will review these incidents and take on board, as appropriate, any recommendations arising from these investigations in the context of strengthening future standards for the industry.
Under the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002 both the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, and the Minister are required to have regard to the need to promote safety on the part of natural gas undertakings. In accordance with this responsibility, and in advance of the introduction of full competition into the natural gas market, I intend to place the responsibility for safety of domestic installation with a body independent of Bord Gáis Éireann and other gas companies. The details of the proposed arrangements are currently being worked out by my Department in consultation with the CER and will form part of the forthcoming Gas Regulation Bill. It is my intention to bring this Bill before the Oireachtas during 2004.
