I move amendment No. 4:
In page 8, lines 1 and 2, to delete "in relation to standardisation, harmonisation, certification or inspection," and substitute "set out in section 6(2)(b), (c) and (d) of the Act of 1961 which were".
It has been brought to my attention that section 8 of the Bill as drafted could impinge on certain testing and certification work which Forbairt undertakes at present, such as in their metrology, electronic and environmental laboratories and test houses. It was never the intention to curtail these activities and this amendment will ensure that only those activities relating to standardisation and certification proper to the NSAI have been detailed. This will ensure that Forbairt will still be able, under those functions particularly specified in section 6(2)(g) and (h) of the 1961 Act, to test or analyse products and publish the results of these tests or analyses.
By taking away from Forfás the power to formulate standards I have also ensured that the remote possibility of a second national standards body being set up as a committee of that body will not occur.
The retention of the right to test, analyse and certify products by Forbairt does not give them the authority to issue certificates for which accreditation or its equivalent is required. While the testing and analysis may still be carried out by Forbairt, the certification will of necessity be carried out by an accredited body, such as NSAI. The national accreditation board is processing a number of applications for accreditation at present. In this way I will ensure there will be no need for any of those sections of Forbairt, such as metrology, electronics or environment, to set up autonomous bodies for accreditation purposes in the future.
Deputy O'Rourke seeks the deletion of relevant references in section 8 of the Bill and, for reasons already stated, I am not able to accept that amendment. The intention which the Deputy seeks to achieve will be equally achieved by amendment No. 8.
