Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
434. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policies that are in place to deal with domestic gas leaks and their reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9257/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe protection of the safety of gas customers, of the public generally and of public property by minimising incidents involving gas is a matter of highest priority for Government. Legislation in place reflects this policy objective and provides the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) with responsibility for regulating the activities of natural gas undertakings and gas installers (both natural gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)) with respect to safety. The CER discharges its safety responsibilities through the implementation of the Gas Safety Framework, which has been in operation since 2008. The CER is currently reviewing the Gas Safety Framework with a view to extending the Framework to provide for LPG safety licensing of LPG Distribution Networks to multiple domestic final customers from the 30th April 2014 and for LPG incident reporting from the 31st March 2014.
Natural Gas undertakings (and LPG Undertakings from the 31st March 2014) have statutory responsibilities for the reporting of gas related incidents to the CER. Procedures have been developed by the CER to ensure that all relevant personnel deal with an incident in an effective and approved manner.
The Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, confers on the CER specific functions in regard to gas safety. A gas installer is required to be registered as a Registered Gas Installer (RGI) in order to carry out works on domestic type gas appliances, i.e. ‘Gas Works’, as defined in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Gas Works) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 255/2009) and the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Works) Regulation 2011 (S.I. 299/2011). As such it is a legal requirement that any ‘Gas Works’ carried out in the domestic environment, whether it is the installation, service or repair of a gas appliance, must always be carried out by a RGI.
The CER's gas safety regime comprises an annual programme of audits and inspection of regulated entities, the investigation of complaints regarding gas installers and an enforcement regime where action is required.
The CER has legal responsibilities in regard to the Promotion and Public Awareness of gas safety and may direct a gas undertaking to engage in related publicity campaigns. A variety of campaigns have been carried out, including the following:
- What to do when a member of the public smells gas, i.e. phone the Bord Gais Networks 24 hour emergency phone line (1850 20 50 50);
- Only use a Registered Gas Installer for the installation, repair or servicing of domestic type gas appliances;
- Carbon Monoxide awareness campaigns; and
- The "Dial Before You Dig" campaign to encourage people to contact Bord Gais Networks prior to undertaking excavation works in order that underground gas pipes are not damaged.
