1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999.

(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.

2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

F1["2019 ACER Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2019/942 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019² establishing a European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators;]

F1["2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive" means Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019³ on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU;

"2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019² on the internal electricity market;]

F2["Agency" means the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators established under the 2019 ACER Regulation;]

F3["aggregation" means a function performed by a natural or legal person who combines multiple customer loads or generated electricity for sale, purchase or auction in any electricity market;]

F4["aggregation" means a function performed by a natural or legal person who combines multiple customer loads or generated electricity for sale, purchase or auction in any electricity market;

"ancillary service", in relation to electricity, means a service necessary for the operation of a transmission or distribution system, including balancing and non-frequency ancillary services, but not including congestion management;]

“authorisation” means an authorisation granted under section 16;

“authorised officer” means a person appointed under section 11 to be an authorised officer;

“Authority” means Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation;

F5["balancing" means balancing as defined in point (10) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity³;

"balancing energy" means balancing energy as defined in Article 2(11) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity³;]

“Board” means the Electricity Supply Board;

F6["citizen energy community" means a legal entity that —

(a) is based on voluntary and open participation and is effectively controlled by members or shareholders that are natural persons, local authorities, including municipalities, or small enterprises,

(b) has for its primary purpose to provide environmental, economic or social community benefits to its members or shareholders or to the local areas where it operates rather than to generate financial profits, and

(c) may engage in generation, including from renewable sources, distribution, supply, consumption, aggregation, energy storage, energy efficiency services or charging services for electric vehicles or provide other energy services to its members or shareholders;]

F7[“combined heat and power” means the simultaneous generation in one process of—

(a) thermal energy and electrical energy,

(b) thermal energy and mechanical energy, or

(c) thermal, electrical and mechanical energy;]

F8[“Commission” means the Commission for Energy Regulation;]

F9["congestion", in relation to electricity, means congestion as defined in Article 2 F10[(4)] of Regulation (EU) 2019/9433 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity;

"demand response" means the change of electricity load by final customers from their normal or current consumption patterns in response to market signals, including in response to time-variable electricity prices or incentive payments, or in response to the acceptance of the final customer’s bid to sell demand reduction or increase at a price in an organised market as defined in Article 2(4) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1348/2014², whether alone or through aggregation;]

F11[“the Department” means the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland; ]

“direct line”, in relation to electricity, means an electric line which is used or is to be used to carry electricity for the purpose of supply and the construction of which line is permitted under section 37;

“distribution”, in relation to electricity, means the transport of electricity by means of a distribution system, that is to say, a system which consists of electric lines, electric plant, transformers and switchgear and which is used for conveying electricity to final customers;

“distribution code” means a code in respect of all technical aspects relating to connection to and operation of the distribution system prepared by F12[the distribution system operator] under section 33;

F13[“distribution system operator” means the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(g);]

F14[“economically justifiable demand” means the demand that does not exceed the needs for heat or cooling and which would otherwise be satisfied at market conditions by energy generation processes other than cogeneration;]

F15["electricity derivative" means a financial instrument specified in point 5, 6 or 7 of Section C of Annex I to Directive 2014/65/EU⁴ of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU4 , where that instrument relates to electricity;]

F16[“Electricity Market Directive” F17[means Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the Internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU³;]]

F16[“Electricity Market Regulation” means F18[Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal electricity market;]]

F14[“electricity production from combined heat and power” means electricity produced from combined heat and power calculated in accordance with section 7;]

F19[“electricity supply contract” means a contract for the supply of electricity, but does not include an electricity derivative;]

F20["electricity undertaking" means any person engaged in generation, transmission, distribution, aggregation, demand response, energy storage, supply or purchase of electricity, and who is responsible for the commercial, technical or maintenance tasks related to those functions, including a holder of a licence or authorisation under this Act or a person who has been granted a permit under section 37 of the Principal Act, but does not include final customers;]

F21[“electric line“ has the meaning assigned to it by section 4(1) of the ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Act 2014;]

“electric plant” means any plant, apparatus or appliance used for, or for purposes connected with, the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity, other than—

(a) an electric line,

(b) a meter used for ascertaining the quantity of electricity supplied to any premises, or

(c) an electrical appliance under the control of a consumer;

F22["energy storage" means, in the electricity system, deferring the final use of electricity to a moment later than when it was generated, or the conversion of electrical energy into a form of energy which can be stored, the storing of such energy, and the subsequent reconversion of such energy into electrical energy or use as another energy carrier;]

F23["energy storage facility" means, in the electricity system, a facility where energy storage occurs;]

F24[“energy undertaking” means an electricity undertaking or a natural gas undertaking;]

F1["ENTSO for Electricity" means the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity referred to in Article 28 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

“establishment day” means the day appointed under section 8;

F1["EU DSO entity" means the European Entity for Distribution System Operators referred to in Article 52 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

F25["final customer" means a customer who purchases electricity for own use;]

“forecast statement” has the meaning assigned to it by section 38;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

F26[“gas installer” means LPG installer or natural gas installer, as the case may be;]

“generate”, in relation to electricity, means to produce electricity;

“generating station” means a station for the generation of electricity;

“grid code” means a code in respect of all technical aspects relating to connection to and operation of the transmission system prepared by F27[the transmission system operator] under section 33;

F1["guidelines", in relation to electricity, means guidelines adopted pursuant to Article 61 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

F14[“high efficiency combined heat and power” means combined heat and power production which on an annual basis—

(a) in the case of small scale combined heat and power and micro-combined heat and power, achieves primary energy savings calculated in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in the case of all other combined heat and power, achieves primary energy savings calculated in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 3 of at least 10 per cent compared with the references for separate production of heat and electricity;]

F28["household customer" means a customer who purchases electricity for the customer’s own household consumption, excluding commercial or professional activities;]

F29["interconnector" means equipment used to link electricity systems;]

F30[“Internal Market Regulations” means the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 and 2005;]

“licence” means a licence issued under section 14;

F16[“linepack” means the storage of gas by compression in gas transmission and distribution systems, but not including facilities reserved for transmission system operators carrying out their functions;]

F26[“LPG” means liquefied petroleum gas;]

F26[“LPG fitting” means any non-portable appliance, apparatus or other thing including associated pipework and flueing which is used or designed to be used by—

(a) a domestic customer, or ]

F26[(b) such class or classes of industrial or commercial customer as the Commission may specify from time to time, in connection with the consumption or use of LPG;]

in connection with the consumption or use of LPG;

F31[“LPG incident”means an event or occurrence of a class prescribed by regulations made by the Commission under section 9JG;

“LPG safety licence” means a licence granted under section 9JE;

“LPG undertaking”means any person who imports LPG or purchases LPG directly from a refinery within the State and makes LPG available to individual domestic or commercial final customers by way of LPG cylinder, bulk tank or via a piped LPG distribution network;]

F32["market participant", in the context of electricity, means a market participant as defined in point 25 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity³;]

F11[“the Memorandum of Understanding” means the Memorandum of Understanding relating to the establishment and operation of a single competitive wholesale electricity market in the State and in Northern Ireland entered into between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed on behalf of the Government of Ireland on 5 December 2006 and on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 6 December 2006;]

F14[“micro-combined heat and power unit” means a combined heat and power unit with a maximum capacity of less than 50 kWe;]

F33[“Minister” means Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources;]

F16[“natural gas exchange” means a virtual trading location for the purchase and sale of natural gas;]

F34[“natural gas fitting” means any appliance, apparatus or other thing including associated pipework and flueing which is used or designed to be used by—

(a) a domestic customer, or

(b) such class or classes of industrial or commercial customer as the Commission may specify from time to time,

in connection with the consumption or use of natural gas whether the appliance, apparatus or thing is the property of a natural gas undertaking or otherwise;]

F35[“natural gas infrastructure” means any pipeline, facility, structure or installation which is or has been established, maintained or operated, for the purpose of the supply, storage, transmission, distribution and use of natural gas under a natural gas licence;]

F36["Natural Gas Market Directive" means Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 13 July 2009² as amended by Directive (EU) 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019¹;]

F16[“Natural Gas Market Regulation” means Regulation (EC) 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009;]

F24[“natural gas undertaking” means a person engaged in the transmission, distribution, supply or storage of natural gas, including any holder of a licence or a consent under this Act, or any person who has been granted a licence or given a consent under the Gas Acts, 1976 to 2002,]

F1["network codes", in relation to electricity, means network codes established pursuant to Article 59 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;

"non-frequency ancillary service", in in relation to electricity, means a service used by a transmission system operator or distribution system operator for steady state voltage control, fast reactive current injections, inertia for local grid stability, short-circuit current, black start capability and island operation capability;]

F37["offshore" has the meaning assigned to it by section 13A;]

F38[“petroleum undertaking” has the meaning given to it by section 13A(1);]

F39[“piped LPG distribution network” means a pipeline system connected to a central storage bulk tank or LPG cylinder but not including a bulk tank or LPG cylinder as the case may be, and includes pipework above and below ground and all other equipment necessary upstream of the point of delivery and downstream of the emergency control valve, supplying gas to two or more customers;]

“prescribe” means to prescribe by regulations made by the Minister or the Commission under this Act and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

“Principal Act” means the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927;

F11[“public electricity supplier” means the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(h);]

F40["recharging point" means an interface that is capable of charging one electric vehicle at a time or exchanging the battery of one electric vehicle at a time;]

“record” means any book, document or any other written or printed material in any form including any information stored, maintained or preserved by means of any mechanical or electronic device, whether or not stored, maintained or preserved in a legible form;

F1["regional coordination centre" means a regional coordination centre established pursuant to Article 35 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

“renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy” means energy used in the production of electricity which uses as its primary source one or a combination of more than one of the following—

(a) wind,

(b) hydro,

(c) biomass,

(d) waste, including waste heat,

(e) biofuel,

(f) geothermal,

(g) fuel cells,

(h) tidal,

(i) solar,

(j) wave;

F41[(k) ambient energy.]

F11[“the SEM Committee” means the committee referred to in Section 8A;]

F11[“SEM matter” shall be construed in accordance with section 8A(5);]

F42["the Single Electricity Market" means the arrangements in the State and Northern Ireland—

(a) initially described in the Memorandum of Understanding,

(b) designed to promote the establishment and operation of a single competitive wholesale electricity market in the State and Northern Ireland, and

(c) which allow for the efficient application of the European Union rules for cross-border trade in electricity contained within or adopted pursuant to the Electricity Market Regulation as amended from time to time and as supplemented by—

(i) network codes established under Article 6 of that Regulation, and

(ii) guidelines adopted under Article 18 of that Regulation;]

F11[“Single Electricity Market operator” means the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(j) or a person exempted from the requirement to hold such a licence;]

“single premises” means one or more buildings or structures, occupied and used by a person, where each building or structure is adjacent to, or contiguous with, the other building or structure;

F14[“small scale combined heat and power” means combined heat and power units with an installed capacity greater than 50 kWe and less than 1 MWe;]

“supply”, in relation to electricity, means supply through electric lines to final customers for consumption;

F1["system operation region" means the system operation region to be approved by the Agency pursuant to Article 36 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

“transmission”, F43[subject to section 2A,] in relation to electricity, means the transport of electricity by means of a transmission system, F44[“in the State or offshore, or both,] that is to say, a system which consists, wholly or mainly, of high voltage lines and electric plant and which is used for conveying electricity from a generating station to a substation, from one generating station to another, from one substation to another or to or from any interconnector or to final customers but shall not include any such lines which the Board may, from time to time, with the approval of the Commission, specify as being part of the distribution system but shall include any interconnector owned by the Board.

F13[“transmission system operator” means the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(e);]

F1["Union wide network development plan" means the plan adopted pursuant to Article 30(1)(b) of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation;]

F14[“useful heat” means heat produced in a cogeneration process to satisfy an economically justifiable demand for heat or cooling;]

F45[“wholesale customer” means a natural or legal person purchasing electricity for the purpose of resale inside or outside the system where he or she is established.]

F11[(1A) (a) Notwithstanding the definition of "Department" in subsection (1) where the electricity functions of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland are, under the law for the time being in force in Northern Ireland, exercisable by any other Department, Ministry or authority, references to the Department in this Act shall be construed as references to such other Department, Ministry or authority, as the case may be.

(b) Notwithstanding the definition of "Authority" in subsection (1) where the electricity functions of the Authority are, under the law for the time being in force in Northern Ireland, exercisable by any other authority, Department, Ministry, person or statutory body, references to the Authority in this Act shall be construed as references to such other authority, Department, Ministry, person or statutory body, as the case may be.

(c) In this subsection "electricity functions" has the same meaning as it has in Article 9 of the Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.]

(2) In this Act—

(a) a reference to a section or Schedule is a reference to a section of or Schedule to this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment is intended,

(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

(c) a reference to the performance of functions includes with respect to powers and duties, a reference to the exercise of powers and the carrying out of duties.

(3) A reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment, including this Act.

(4) The Minister may from time to time by order amend the definition of renewable, sustainable or alternative sources of energy by the addition of further renewable, sustainable or alternative sources of energy.

2A.— (1) An interconnector owned by the Board shall be part of the transmission system.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) an interconnector owned by a person other than the Board shall not be part of the transmission system.

F47[(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2)—

(a) an interconnector owned by a person other than the Board—

(i) shall, where subsection (4) applies, and

(ii) may, where the Commission determines that it is in the public interest,

be considered to be part of the transmission system for the purposes of calculating charges and imposing charges for use of the transmission system, and

(b) an interconnector owned by the transmission system operator shall be regarded as part of the transmission system for the purposes of the functions of the transmission system operator.

(4) For the purpose of subsection (3)(a), an interconnector constructed pursuant to section 16A shall be deemed to be in the public interest.]]

3.—Every order, other than orders under section 1(2) or section 27(6), or regulations made by the Minister, in the case of orders or regulations made by the Minister, or by the Commission, in the case of orders or regulations made by the Commission, shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

F48[4.—(1) Any notice required to be served or given by or under this Act shall be addressed to the person concerned and served or given in one of the following ways:

(a) by addressing it to the person by name and delivering it to him or her;

(b) by leaving it at the address at which the person ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation;

(c) by sending it by post in a prepaid registered letter addressed to the person at the address at which he or she ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation;

(d) if an address for the service of notices has been furnished by the person, by leaving it at, or sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to him or her to, that address;

(e) by sending it by means of electronic mail or a facsimile machine, to a device or facility for the reception of electronic mail or facsimiles located at the address at which the addressee concerned carries on any profession, business or occupation or, if an address for the service of a notice has been furnished by the energy undertaking concerned, that address, but only if—

(i) the recipient’s facility for the reception of electronic mail generates a message confirming a receipt of the electronic mail, or

(ii) the sender’s facsimile machine generates a message confirming successful delivery of the total number of pages of the notice,

and it is also given in one of the other ways mentioned in any of the preceding paragraphs;

(f) where the address at which the person ordinarily resides cannot be ascertained by reasonable inquiry and notice is required to be served on, or given to, him or her in respect of any premises, by delivering it to a person over the age of 16 years resident in or employed on the premises, or by affixing it in a conspicuous position on or near the premises.

(2) Where the name of the person concerned cannot be ascertained by reasonable inquiry, a notice under this Act may be addressed to “the occupier”, “the owner” or “the person in charge”, as the case may be.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts or the Companies Act 2014, shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its registered office, and every other body corporate and every unincorporated body shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its principal office or place of business.

(4) For the purpose of this section, an EEA company within the meaning of Part 21 of the Companies Act 2014 that establishes a branch in the State shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at the address of the branch notified under section 1302 of that Act.

(5) A person shall not at any time during the period of 3 months after a notice is affixed under subsection (1)(f) remove, damage or deface the notice without lawful authority and a person who contravenes this subsection commits an offence.

(6) A person who commits an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.]

5.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a person being a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he or she were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his or her functions of management as if he or she were a director or manager of the body corporate.

6.—(1) Summary proceedings for offences F49[under this Act and under sections 40D to I of the Gas Act 1976] may be brought and prosecuted by the Commission.

(2) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted within F50[2 years] from the date of the offence.

F51[(3) Proceedings for an offence under Part IIA of this Act committed in any part of—

(a) the licensed area (within the meaning of section 13A) to which subparagraph (i) or (ii), or both, of paragraph (a) of the definition of “licensed area” relates, or

(b) a designated area,

may be taken, and the offence may for all incidental purposes be treated, as having been committed in any place in the State.]

F52[(4) Where a person is convicted of an offence in proceedings brought by the Commission the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order the person to pay to the Commission the costs and expenses, measured by the court, incurred by the Commission in relation to the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offence.

(5) Where a court imposes a fine or affirms or varies a fine imposed by another court for an offence in proceedings brought by the Commission, it shall, on the application of the Commission (made before the time of such imposition, affirmation or variation), provide by order for the payment of the amount of the fine to the Commission.]

7.—(1) Electricity production from combined heat and power shall be calculated in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 3.

(2) The Minister may by order appoint a person to calculate and certify the actual power to heat ratios of such classes of combined heat and power units as are specified in the order, and such person shall have such powers and duties as are specified in the order.

(3) A person appointed under subsection (2) shall calculate the actual power to heat ratios of combined heat and power units in accordance with this Act and the Directive.

F54[(4) The Minister may by order specify power-to-heat ratio default values for any technology or technologies which satisfy the definition of combined heat and power, provided that—

(a) in respect of the technologies referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e) of Part II of Annex I to the Directive, such default values shall be consistent with those specified in paragraph (b) of that Annex, and

(b) in respect of technologies other than those referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, such default values shall be notified to the European Commission.]

(5) The relative amount of primary energy savings provided by combined heat and power production shall be calculated in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 3.

(6) F55[…]

(7) F55[…]

(8) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order made under this section including an order made under this subsection.

(9) The provisions of this section and Schedule 3 apply to installations or generating stations whether first licensed before or after the coming into operation of section 6 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006.

F56[(10) In this section “Directive” means Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 20121.]]

8.—(1) The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.

(2) There shall stand established on the establishment day a body to be known in the Irish language as An Coimisiún um Rialáil Leictreachais or in the English language as the Commission for Electricity Regulation and in this Act referred to as the “Commission” to perform the functions conferred on it by this Act.

(3) F57[Schedule 1] shall apply to the Commission.

(4) The Commission shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and power to sue and be used in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land, and to acquire, hold and dispose of any other property.

(5) The seal of the Commission shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson of the Commission, or by the signatures of any other member of the Commission and a member of the staff of the Commission authorised by the Commission to act in that behalf.

(6) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Commission and every document purporting to be an instrument made by and to be sealed with the seal of the Commission (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this section) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.

8A.—(1) There shall be a committee of the Commission to be known as the Single Electricity Market Committee or as the SEM Committee.

(2) The SEM Committee shall comprise such members as stand appointed to it from time to time.

(3) Schedule 1A applies to the SEM Committee.

(4) Any decision as to the exercise of a relevant function of the Commission in relation to a SEM matter shall be taken on behalf of the Commission by the SEM Committee.

(5) For the purposes of this Act a matter is a SEM matter if the SEM Committee determines that the exercise of a relevant function of the Commission in relation to that matter materially affects, or is likely materially to affect, the Single Electricity Market.

(6) For the purposes of this section “relevant function ” means—

(a) a function under this Act relating to electricity,

(b) a function under the Internal Market Regulations.]

8B.—(1) The Commission shall publish a statement—

(a) setting out the procedures and working arrangements adopted by the Commission for ensuring compliance with section 8A(4), and

(b) describing how the Commission will work together with the Authority in the exercise of their respective statutory functions in relation to the Single Electricity Market.

(2) A statement under this section may be amended from time to time and the Commission shall as soon as practicable thereafter publish the statement as so amended.]

9.—(1) The Commission shall have the following functions, namely—

(a) to publish, pursuant to a policy direction or directions of the Minister, which shall be made publicly available when given to the Commission, proposals for a system of contracts and other arrangements, including appropriate rights and obligations, for trading in electricity,

(b) to engage in a public consultation process on the procedures to be adopted by the Commission to implement the proposals drawn up under paragraph (a),

(c) to advise the Minister on the impact of electricity generation in relation to sustainability, and international agreements on the environment to which the State is or becomes a party,

(d) following the public consultation process referred to in paragraph (b) and taking account of matters raised in the public consultation process, to make regulations, subject to the consent of the Minister, establishing a system of trading in electricity, including the supervision and review of such a system by the Commission, F60[…]

F61[(da) to monitor the level and effectiveness of market opening and the development of competition in the supply of electricity and gas to final customers, which shall include but is not limited to monitoring—

(i) final tariffs charged to domestic customers including those on prepayment systems,

(ii) rates of customer switching between licensed electricity and gas suppliers,

(iii) disconnection and de-energisation rates,

(iv) charges for, and the execution of, maintenance services,

(v) complaints by domestic customers,

(vi) any distortion or restriction of competition in the supply of electricity and gas to final customers,

(vii) whether the development and operation of competition in the supply of electricity and gas is benefitting final F62[customers,]

(viii) the level of market opening and of competition on natural gas exchanges,

F63[(ix) the impact of dynamic price contracts and of the use of smart metering systems,

(x) the relationship between household and wholesale prices,

(xi) the evolution of grid tariffs and levies,

(xii) the availability of comparison tools that meet the requirements set out in Article 14 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive, and (xiii) the removal of unjustified obstacles to and restrictions on the development of consumption of self-generated electricity and citizen energy communities,

(xiii) the removal of unjustified obstacles to and restrictions on the development of consumption of self-generated electricity and citizen energy communities,]

(db) to take any actions which the Commission, on foot of the monitoring in paragraph (da), has determined to be necessary in order to—

(i) prevent a distortion or restriction of competition in the supply of electricity and gas to final customers, or

(ii) ensure that final customers are benefiting from competition in the supply of electricity and gas,

F64[(dc) where the Commission determines it to be necessary under paragraph (db), to—

(i) examine the charges and the costs underlying such charges for electricity which have been supplied by the Board,

(ii) examine any proposal by the Board to alter charges for the supply of electricity,

(iii) examine the charges and the costs underlying such charges for natural gas which have been supplied in accordance with the licence granted to Bord Gáis Energy or its assignees,

(iv) examine any proposal by Bord Gáis Energy or its assignees to alter charges for the supply of natural gas,

(v) issue directions or approvals to the Board or Bord Gáis Energy or its assignees, in relation to either or both the nature or the amount of any charge or proposed charge for the supply of electricity or natural gas as relevant, to such class or classes of final customers as the Commission may specify, and

(vi) publish a notice on the Commission’s website of any directions or approvals issued under subparagraph (v) stating the nature of the direction and the reasons for it,]]

F65[(dd) to advise the Minister or other relevant persons on and publish at least annually—

(i) any relevant information arising from the monitoring in paragraph (da),

(ii) any determination made by the Commission under paragraph (db), and

(iii) any action which the Commission has taken or intends to take under paragraphs (db) and (dc) and on the outcomes or intended outcomes of such actions,

(de) to ensure such arrangements are in place, as the Commission deems appropriate, which have the effect of securing the extent to which each generating station, group of generating stations or all generating stations, owned by the Board, supplies electricity to or is supplied with electricity by, either or both, the public electricity supplier, suppliers and generators licensed under section 14(1),

(df) to examine charges, and the costs underlying such charges, or any proposal to alter such charges, as the Commission deems appropriate, for electricity supplied from each generating station, group of generating stations or all generating stations, owned by the Board, to the public electricity supplier, suppliers and generators licensed under section 14(1),

(dg) following an examination under paragraph (df) and where the Commission considers it necessary, to issue directions or approvals to the Board in relation to either or both the nature and the amount of any charge or proposed charge referred to in paragraph (df),

(dh) F66[…]

(di) F66[…]]

F67[(dj) to publish recommendations, at least annually, in relation to compliance of supply prices with Article 3 of the Natural Gas Market Directive and F62[Article 5 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive],

(dk) to monitor the implementation of rules relating to the roles and responsibilities of transmission system operators, distribution system operators, suppliers and customers and other market parties pursuant to the F62[2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation] and the Natural Gas Market Regulation,

(dl) to respect contractual freedom with regard to interruptible supply contracts as well as with regard to long-term contracts provided that they are compatible with European Union law and consistent with European Union policies,

(dm) to monitor the occurrence of restrictive contractual practices, including exclusivity clauses which may prevent F68[…] customers from contracting simultaneously with more than one supplier or restrict their choice to do so and, where appropriate, to inform the Competition Authority of such practices,

F69[(dn) where applicable, to monitor technical cooperation between electricity transmission system operators and third-country electricity transmission system operators, and

(do) to review and approve, as appropriate, the criteria determined by the electricity transmission system operator to underpin the dispatch of generation installations and the use of interconnectors and such criteria shall—

(i) be objective, published, applied in a non-discriminatory matter, and be without prejudice to the supply of electricity on the basis of existing contractual obligations ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market in electricity, and

(ii) take into account the economic precedence of electricity from available generation installations or interconnector transfers and the technical constraints on the system,]]

F70[(dp) to monitor and assess the performance of transmission system operators and distribution system operators in relation to the development of a smart grid that promotes energy efficiency and the integration of energy from renewable sources, based on a limited set of indicators, and publish a national report every two years, including recommendations,

(dq) to contribute to the compatibility of data exchange processes for the most important market processes at regional level,

(dr) to cooperate, where appropriate with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, other regulatory bodies and the European Commission, as necessary, when conducting an investigation relating to competition law,]

F71[(e) to advise the Minister on the development of the electricity and gas industries and on the exercise of the functions of the Minister under this F72[Act,]]

F73[(ea) to regulate the activities of natural gas undertakings, holders of LPG safety licences for the purposes of making LPG available via a piped LPG distribution network and natural gas installers, with respect to safety,

(eb) to promote the safety of—

(i) natural gas customers and the public generally as respects the supply, storage, transmission, distribution and use of natural gas (excluding such activities carried out at upstream pipelines or facilities except where such pipeline or facility is engaged in the storage of natural gas), and

(ii) LPG customers and the public generally as respects the supply and use of LPG,]

F74[(ec) to consult with The National Standards Authority of Ireland regarding standards and specifications relating to F75[gas safety,]]

F76[(ed) to regulate the activities of LPG installers with respect to safety,]

F77[(f) to contribute to the development of the internal market and to the development of compatible regulatory frameworks between regions of the European Union, by engaging, co-operating and consulting with other national regulatory authorities, the Agency and with the European Commission in regard to cross-border issues F78[, F79[in particular through participation in the work of the Agency’s Board of Regulators pursuant to Article 21 of the 2019 ACER Regulation]and in respect of infrastructure to and from a third country, to co-operate with the relevant authorities of the third country, after consulting the regulatory authorities of other Member States, aiming at, as regards such infrastructure, consistent application of the Natural Gas Market Directive in the territory of the European Union],

(fa) to share information, as necessary for the fulfilment of its functions, with other national regulatory authorities and the Agency F80[and, in particular, to share information within the Agency],

F81[(faa) to ensure that any information obtained from another regulatory authority in regard to a cross-border issue under the Natural Gas Market Directive, the Natural Gas Market Regulation, the F16[2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive] or the Electricity Market Regulation is treated confidentially to the same extent that is required of the other regulatory authority,]

(fb) to co-operate with other regulatory authorities, at least at a regional level, to—

(i) foster the creation of operational arrangements in order to enable optimal management of the electricity and gas networks,

(ii) promote joint electricity and gas exchanges and the allocation of cross-border capacity,

(iii) co-ordinate the development of network codes F80[and guidelines] for electricity and gas transmission system operators and electricity and gas undertakings,

(iv) develop rules on access to cross border infrastructure including allocation of capacity and congestion management F79[except where the Agency is competent to fix and approve the terms and conditions or methodologies for the implementation of network codes and guidelines under Chapter VII of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation pursuant to Article 5(2) of the 2019 ACER Regulation because of their coordinated nature],

(v) foster operational arrangements to enable an adequate level of interconnection capacity within the region and between regions to allow the development of effective competition and improvement of security of supply,

(vi) foster non-discriminatory operational arrangements in regard to supply undertakings, F16[…]

(vii) contribute to safeguarding secure electricity and gas supplies on the internal market by co-operating with, and keeping other national regulatory authorities informed of any co-operation measure which the Commission takes pursuant to this section. Such cooperation shall cover situations resulting or likely to result in the short-term in a severe disruption of supply and shall include—

(I) co-ordination of national emergency measures referred to in Article 8 of Directive 2004/67/EC of 26 April 2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council⁵,

(II) identification and, where necessary, development or upgrading of electricity and natural gas interconnections, and

(III) conditions and practical procedures for mutual F16[assistance, and]

F80[(viii) coordinate the joint oversight of entities performing functions at regional level, and

(ix) coordinate, in cooperation with other involved authorities, the joint oversight of national, regional and European resource adequacy assessments,]

F84[(fb)(a) to publish the rules referred to in section 9(1)(fb)(iv)]

F78[(fbb) to consult and co-operate with the relevant authorities of third countries in relation to the operation of gas infrastructure to and from third countries with a view to ensuring, as regards the infrastructure concerned, that the Natural Gas Market Directive is applied consistently in the territory and territorial seas of the State,]

(fc) to engage with transmission system operators in order to—

(i) promote and facilitate co-operation between transmission system operators at a regional level on cross-border issues,

(ii) foster the consistency of legal, regulatory and technical frameworks,

(iii) facilitate the integration of isolated systems forming electricity and gas islands in the European Union, and

(iv) create competitive internal electricity and gas markets,

(fd) to ensure that electricity and gas transmission system operators have one or more integrated systems at regional level covering 2 or more Member States for capacity allocation and for checking the security of the network,]

F79[(fda) to ensure that transmission system operators make available interconnector capacities to the utmost extent pursuant to Article 16 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation,]

F85[(fe) to request the opinion of the Agency on the compliance of a decision, taken by another regulatory authority on a cross border trade issue, with F86[network codes and] guidelines referred to in the Natural Gas Market Regulation, the Natural Gas Market Directive, the F16[2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive] or the Electricity Market Directive,

(ff) where it considers that a decision relevant for cross-border trade taken by another regulatory authority does not comply with the F86[network codes or] guidelines referred to in paragraph (fe), to, if it considers it necessary, inform the European Commission within 2 months of the taking of the decision by that other regulatory authority,

(fg) where, following a request to the Agency by another regulatory authority in regard to a decision made by the Commission on a cross-border trade issue, the European Commission has requested the Commission to withdraw its decision, to comply with any such decision within a period of 2 months and to inform the European Commission accordingly,]

F88[(g) to grant, monitor the performance of, modify, revoke and enforce licences and authorisations pursuant to this Act,

(h) to publish information and advice and settle disputes in accordance with the provisions of this Act,

(i) to carry out the role assigned to it by section 39, F89[…]

F90[(j) to comply with and implement relevant legally binding decisions of the Agency and of the European Commission,]]

F91[(k) to collect and recover the carbon revenue levy (within the meaning of section 40D) under F92[Part VIB,]]

F93[(ka) to act as the competent authority for the purposes of European Communities (Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide) Regulations 2011 and 2014,]

F94[F95[(l) to ensure compliance by electricity and gas undertakings, including transmission system operators, distribution system operators and system owners, and other market participants, with their obligations under the Natural Gas Market Directive, the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive, the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation, the network codes and the guidelines adopted pursuant to Articles 59, 60 and 61 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation, and other relevant law of the European Union, including as regards cross-border issues, as well as with decisions of the Agency, in accordance with their statutory functions,]

F96[(la) in close cooperation with the other regulatory authorities, to ensure the compliance of the ENTSO for Electricity and the EU DSO entity with their obligations under the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive, the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation, the network codes and guidelines adopted pursuant to Articles 59, 60 and 61 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation, and other relevant law of the European Union, including as regards cross-border issues, as well as with the Agency’s decisions, and jointly identify any failure of the ENTSO for Electricity and the EU DSO entity to comply with their respective obligations,

(lb) where the Commission has not been able to reach an agreement (with the other regulatory authorities), within a period of 4 months after the start of consultations, on the matter of whether a failure to comply, as referred to in paragraph (la), has occurred or as to the extent of any such failure, to refer, jointly with those other authorities, the matter to the Agency for a decision, pursuant to Article 6(10) of the 2019 ACER Regulation,

(lc) to implement the network codes and guidelines adopted pursuant to Articles 59, 60 and 61 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation through national measures or, where so required, coordinated regional or Union-wide measures,]

F97[(m) to carry out investigations into the functioning of the electricity and gas markets,

(n) to decide upon and impose effective and proportionate measures to promote effective competition,

(o) to have regard to the benefits of developing demand-side participation in electricity markets, including  through energy efficiency, demand-response, distributed generation, energy storage and the use of digital technologies,

(p) to have regard to the facilitation of consumers to provide, consume and trade electricity that they have generated,

(q) to have regard to the need to provide for flexibility in the trading of electricity to facilitate trading close to real time in order to better integrate renewable electricity and provide accurate price signals to the market,

(r) to have regard to the use of energy storage technologies in participating in the balancing of electricity demand and supply, F68[…]

(s) to have regard to the need to ensure that grid connection policy takes account of renewable energy policy, including any such policy in relation to community energy F98[projects,]]]

F99[(t) to approve products and procurement process for non-frequency ancillary F100[services,]

(u) to require any information from electricity undertakings relevant for the fulfilment of its tasks, including the justification for any refusal to grant third-party access, and any information on measures necessary to reinforce the F101[network,]]

F103[(v) to ensure a level playing field where electricity undertakings are subject to transparent, proportionate and non-discriminatory rules, fees and treatment, in particular with respect to —

(i) balancing responsibility,

(ii) access to wholesale markets,

(iii) access to data,

(iv) switching processes and billing regimes, and

(v) where applicable, F104[licensing,]

(w) to ensure that market participants from third countries, when operating within the internal market for electricity, comply with applicable Union and national law, including that concerning environmental and safety F105[policy, and]]

F106[(x) to perform its functions under the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 76 of 2022).]

F102[(1A) For the purposes of this Act, the functions of the Commission under the Electricity Market Directive and under the Natural Gas Market Directive and any regulations made under either, shall be deemed to be functions of the Commission under this Act.]

F107[(1B) The Commission shall be responsible for ensuring non-discrimination, effective competition and the efficient functioning of the electricity and gas markets, by monitoring in particular—

(a) the rules on the management and allocation of interconnection capacity in conjunction with the regulatory authority or authorities of those Member States with which the interconnection exists,

(b) mechanisms to deal with management of congestion capacity within the electricity and gas systems,

(c) the time taken by transmission and distribution system operators to make connections and repairs,

(d) the publication of appropriate information by transmission and distribution system operators concerning interconnectors, grid usage and capacity allocation to interested parties, taking into account the need to treat non-aggregated information as commercially confidential,

(e) effective unbundling of accounts to ensure that there are no cross-subsidies between generation, transmission, distribution, storage, LNG and supply activities, F108[or other electricity and non-electricity activities]

(f) conditions of access to storage facilities, linepack and to other ancillary services in relation to gas,

(g) the application by storage operators of the criteria relating to storage facilities that fall under Article 33 of the Natural Gas Market Directive,

(h) the extent to which transmission and distribution system owners and operators fulfil their functions in accordance with statutory requirements,

(i) the level of competition and transparency in respect of wholesale prices,

(j) F109[…]

(k) ensuring compliance by transmission system operators with recommendations of the Commission in regard to amendment or modification of investment plans of transmission system operators,

(l) compliance with, and review of, past performance of network security and reliability rules, and

(m) the terms, conditions and tariffs for connecting new producers of electricity to guarantee that these are objective, transparent and non-discriminatory, in particular taking full account of the costs and benefits of the various renewable energy sources technologies, distributed generation and combined heat and power.]

F110[(1BA) F111[…]]

F112[F108[(1BA) The Commission shall ensure compliance of electricity undertakings, including transmission and distribution system owners and operators, with transparency obligations.]

(1C) The Commission shall in its annual report, under paragraph 25(c) of the Schedule include details on the carrying out and fulfilment of its duties under F113[Articles 59 and 60 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive], and Article 41 of the Natural Gas Market Directive and subsection (3) of section 9BA.]

F108[(1CA) The Commission shall report annually on its activity and the fulfilment of its duties to the European Commission and the Agency, including on the steps taken and the results obtained as regards each of the tasks listed in Articles 59 and 60 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive.]

F114[(1CB) The Commission shall report annually until at least 2032 on the developments in dynamic electricity price contracts, including market offers and the impact on consumers’ bills and specifically the level of price volatility.]

F115[(1D)(a) Any dispute between a gas transmission, gas distribution, LNG or gas storage system operator and a person regarding—

(i)(I) the matters specified in section 9(1B), in relation to gas,

(II) the terms and conditions for the provision of balancing services or the methodologies used to calculate such terms and conditions,

(III) the terms and conditions, including tariffs or the methodologies used to calculate or establish such terms and conditions for connection and access to the national networks,

F116[…]

(ii) F116[…]

shall, upon the application of such person, be determined by the Commission, and the Commission shall issue a direction regarding its determination and the system operator shall comply with and be bound by any such determination.

(b) The Commission shall issue a binding determination referred to in paragraph (a) within 2 months from the date of receipt of the complaint. This 2 month period may be extended by a further 2 months (and such further extension as may be consented to by the applicant) where the Commission seeks additional information in the matter.

(c) This subsection does not apply to a dispute between a final customer and a system operator where the dispute concerns a refusal to offer to enter into a third party access agreement within the meaning of section 10A or 10B of the Gas Act 1976.]

F113[(1E) The Commission, when carrying out the monitoring of compliance referred to in paragraph (k) of subsection (1B), may formulate proposals, by way of recommendations to be included by it in its report referred to in subsection (1C), for the amendment or modification of investment plans referred to in that paragraph (k) so as to ensure their consistency with the Union wide network development plan referred to in Article 30(1)(b) of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation and Article 8(3)(b) of the Natural Gas Market Regulation.]

F118[(1F) It shall be a function of the Commission to ensure that there is a high standard of protection for all final customers, including in their dealings with energy undertakings.]

F119[(1FA) For the purposes of subsection (1F) “final customer”—

(a) in the case of an electricity undertaking, has the meaning given to it by section 2, and

(b) in the case of a natural gas undertaking, has the meaning given to it by section 2 of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002.]

F120[(1G) F121[(a) In carrying out its functions under paragraphs (ea), (eb) and (ed) the Commission shall, having consulted with the Minister, establish and implement a LPG and natural gas safety regulatory framework, and report annually to the Minister on the functioning of such framework,]

(b) The framework established under paragraph (a) shall include—

(i) a system for the inspection and testing of all natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, storage and LNG facilities to an extent and at a frequency specified in the framework,

(ii) a system for the regulation, certification, ongoing inspection of the work and assessment of the competence of individual trained natural gas installers F122[and LPG installers],

(iii) procedures for the investigation of complaints regarding the competence of any particular natural gas installer F123[or LPG installer],

F124[(iv) procedures for the investigation of a LPG incident as prescribed by regulations under section 9H and any incidents involving natural gas which in the opinion of the Commission warrant such investigation,]

(v) procedures relating to the making of a report to the Minister in respect of an investigation under subparagraph (iv),

(vi) any other matter considered necessary by the Commission.

(c) The Commission may review or amend the framework referred to in paragraph (a) as often as it considers necessary.]

F125[(1H) (a) In carrying out its functions under paragraphs (ea), (eb) and (ed) of subsection (1) the Commission may require natural gas undertakings and LPG undertakings to regularly advise and provide information to their final customers and the public as respects—

(i) best practice in relation to the safe use of natural gas and LPG and on the operation and maintenance of natural gas fittings and LPG fittings, and

(ii) the detection and reporting of natural gas and LPG leaks and other faults in natural gas fittings and LPG fittings, in such manner as the Commission may, from time to time, direct.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), the Commission may direct a natural gas undertaking or a LPG undertaking, as the case may be, to engage in, either on its own or in concert with any other natural gas undertaking or LPG undertaking (whether or not such other undertaking operates within the State), campaigns promoting natural gas safety or LPG safety, as the case may be, which campaigns shall take such form as the Commission may specify in its direction and each natural gas undertaking or LPG undertaking concerned shall comply with any such direction.]

F126[(1I) The Commission may, if necessary, direct a transmission system operator or a distribution system operator to modify the terms and conditions, including tariffs or methodologies referred to in Article 59 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive, so as to ensure that they are proportionate and applied in a non-discriminatory manner, in accordance with Article 18 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation.]

(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1) (a), a policy direction of the Minister shall include a direction that procedures of the Commission enable the implementation of orders made by the Minister under sections 39 and 40.

F127[(3) It shall be the duty of the Minister and the Commission to carry out their functions and exercise the powers conferred on them under this Act in a manner which—

(a) in relation to electricity, does not discriminate unfairly between holders of licences, authorisations and the Board or between applicants for authorisations or licences,

(b) in relation to gas, does not discriminate unfairly between holders of licences, consents and Bord Gáis Éireann or between applicants for consents or F128[licences,]

(c) the Minister or the Commission, as the case may be, considers protects the interests of final customers of electricity or gas or both, F129[as the case may be, and]]

F130[(d) in relation to electricity, ensures that no undue barriers exist for electricity as regards market entry, operation and exit, without prejudice to any competence retained in relation to third countries.]

F131[(4)(a) F132[In carrying out the duty imposed by subsection (3) and the functions specified in Article 59 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive and Article 41 of the Natural Gas Market Directive, the Minister and the Commission shall, in close consultation with the authorities specified in paragraph (aa) and without prejudice to their competence, have regard to the need]—

(i) to promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity and in the supply of natural gas in accordance with this Act,

(ii) to secure that all reasonable demands by final customers of electricity for electricity are satisfied,

(iii) to secure that licence holders are capable of financing the undertaking of the activities which they are licensed to undertake,

(iv) to promote safety and efficiency on the part of electricity and natural gas undertakings,

(v) to promote the continuity, security and quality of supplies of electricity,

(vi) to promote the use of renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy,

(vii) to secure that there is sufficient capacity in the natural gas system to enable reasonable expectations of demand to be met, F133[…]

(viii) to secure the continuity, security and quality of supplies of natural F134[gas,]

F135[(ix) to promote flexibility in the internal market for electricity within the F136[Union, and]]

F137[(x) to ensure that electricity prices reflect actual demand and supply.]

F135[(aa) The authorities referred to in paragraph (a) are every other relevant authority in the State, including the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and, as regards Article 59 of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive, including every authority, including regulatory authority, in neighbouring Member States and neighbouring third countries, as appropriate, together with the European Commission and the Agency.]

F138[(ab) Without prejudice to the duties of the Minister and the Commission under subsection (3) and paragraph (a), nothing in this Act or other legislation shall unduly hamper —

(i) cross-border trade in electricity,

(ii) consumer participation, including through demand response,

(iii) investments into, in particular, variable and flexible energy generation, energy storage and the deployment of electromobility and new interconnectors between Member States.]

(b) In carrying out its duties under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Commission shall also have regard to the following objectives:

(i) to integrate large and small scale production of electricity and gas from renewable resources and distributed production in both transmission and distribution networks in the most cost effective way F135[and facilitating their operation in relation to other energy networks of gas or heat];

F132[(ii) to develop –

(I) competitive and properly efficient and reliable functional regional cross border electricity markets, and

(II) competitive and properly efficient and reliable functional regional gas markets;]

(iii) to eliminate restrictions on trade in electricity and gas between Member States, including developing appropriate cross-border transmission capacities to meet demand and enhancing the integration of national markets which may facilitate electricity and gas flows across the European Union;

(iv) to promote system adequacy;

F132[(v) to facilitate access to the network for new electricity generation capacity, energy storage facilities and for gas production, in particular removing barriers that could prevent access for new market entrants and of electricity and gas from renewable sources;]

(vi) in fixing and approving tariffs or methodologies and the balancing services, to ensure that system operators and system users are granted appropriate incentives, in both the short and long term to—

(I) increase the efficiencies F135[, and, in relation to electricity especially energy efficiency,] in system performance,

(II) to foster market integration,

(III) to foster security of supply, and

(IV) to support research F132[activities;]]

F135[(vii) to ensure that customers benefit through the efficient functioning of the market in the State, promoting effective competition and helping to ensure a high level of consumer protection, and in relation to duties under the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Directive in close cooperation with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission;

(viii) to contribute to the compatibility of necessary data exchange processes for customer switching.]

(5) Without prejudice to subsections (3) and (4), it shall be the duty of the Commission:

(a) to take account of the protection of the environment;

(b) to encourage the efficient use and production of electricity;

(c) to take account of the needs of rural customers, the disadvantaged and the elderly;

(d) to encourage research and development into—

(i) methods of generating electricity using renewable, sustainable and alternative forms of energy and combined heat and power, and

(ii) methods of increasing efficiency in the use and production of electricity;

F139[…]

(e) to require that the system operator gives priority to generating stations using renewable, sustainable or alternative energy sources when selecting F140[generating stations, and]

F141[(f) to take account of the rights of customers, particularly household customers and small enterprises, to be supplied with electricity of a quality specified by the Commission pursuant to Regulation 26 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 at reasonable, F142[competitive,] easily and clearly comparable and transparent prices.]

F143[(5A) Where the Single Electricity Market is in operation, subsections (3), (4) and (5) shall not apply in relation to a matter which is a SEM matter.]

F144[(6) In carrying out its functions pursuant to this Act, the Commission shall:

(a) act in as consistent a manner as practicable, and

F145[(b) any decisions taken by it shall be fully reasoned and justified and shall be publically available while preserving the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.]]

9A.—F147[(1) Subject to subsection (1A), the Commission shall be responsible for –

(a) determining or approving prior to their entry into force, at least the methodologies used to calculate the terms and conditions for the provision of balancing ancillary services in relation to electricity and gas systems,

(b) providing in the most economic manner ancillary services, with the appropriate incentives for network users to balance the input and off-take of gas in the system, and

(c) providing ancillary services in a fair and non-discriminatory manner and based on objective criteria.

(1A) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the Agency is competent to fix and approve the terms and conditions or methodologies for the implementation of network codes and guidelines under Chapter VII of the 2019 Internal Electricity Market Regulation pursuant to Article 5(2) of the 2019 ACER Regulation because of their coordinated nature.]

(2) The Commission shall publish the methodologies or the terms and conditions referred to in 9A(1) on a publically available website.]

9B.—(1) It shall be, and be deemed always to have been, a function of the Commission to participate in the development of an all-island energy market, including the preparation of proposals and the provision of advice to the Minister in regard to any part or aspect of the establishment, management and operation of such a market.

(2) The Commission may take all actions it considers necessary, in carrying out its function under subsection (1).

(3) The powers conferred on the Commission by subsection (1) include the power to direct—

(a) a person holding a licence under section 14(1)(e) or ESB National Grid to negotiate with any person holding an analogous licence as respects any part of Northern Ireland and to enter into an agreement with any such person to establish an entity to be known as a single market operator,

(b) the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(e) or ESB National Grid to take such steps as are necessary to ensure the proper functioning and operation of the system of trading in electricity for which it is responsible on foot of a direction from the Commission under this Act or the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 and 2005, and

(c) the holder of a licence granted under section 14 or a person who stands licensed to generate electricity by virtue of subsection (1A) or (1B) of section 14 to comply with any directions, codes or rules made by the Commission under this Act or the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 and 2005.

(4) The power of the Commission under subsection (3) includes the power to direct that necessary expenditure be undertaken by the holder of a licence under section 14(1)(e) or ESB National Grid.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) the Commission in exercising its powers under this section may—

(a) liaise,

(b) co-operate, or

(c) enter into arrangements including arrangements involving—

(i) the sharing of information, or

(ii) the sharing of expenditure,

with a relevant person in any other Member State of the European Union and in particular the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation.

(6) In this section—

“all-island energy market” means a market in energy for the island of Ireland resulting from the integration of the equivalent markets in Ireland with those of Northern Ireland;

“island of Ireland” includes its islands and seas;

“ESB National Grid” means the National Grid Business Unit of the Board performing the functions of the transmission system operator under this Act and the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 and 2005, pending the granting of a licence under section 14(1)(e);

“market in energy” includes a market in respect of—

(a) the generation, supply, transmission, distribution and trading, including the export or import, of electricity, including electricity generated from renewable sources,

(b) the storage, supply, transmission, distribution and trading, including the export and import, of natural gas,

(c) energy efficiency services,

(d) energy research and development, and

(e) other sustainable energy activities;

“relevant person” means—

(a) any person exercising a function in relation to an energy market which corresponds to any of the functions of the Commission or the Minister under—

(i) the Electricity and Gas Regulation Acts 1999 to 2002,

(ii) European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 and 2005,

and

(b) any person engaged in—

(i) generation, supply, including the export or import, transmission or distribution of electricity, or

(ii) storage, supply including the export or import, transmission or distribution of natural gas;

“single market operator”means an entity established pursuant to an agreement made under subsection (3) for the purpose of establishing and operating a system of contracts and arrangements (including such rights and obligations as appear to the Commission to be necessary) for trading in electricity on the island of Ireland.]

9BA.—(1) In addition to the functions conferred on it by section 9, the Commission shall have as a function, following consultation with the Authority, the taking of all necessary steps (including the making of regulations under subsection (2) to have effect in the State in connection therewith) to establish and facilitate the operation of the Single Electricity Market, including a Trading and Settlement Code in relation to that market.

(2) (a) The Commission may make regulations for the purposes of subsections (1) and (3).

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a) regulations under subsection (1) may—

(i) subject to paragraph (iii), require every person holding a licence under section 14(1)(a) to (d) and (h) to make available for trading under the Single Electricity Market such electricity as is generated by that person or available to that person for supply,

(ii) prescribe an amount of electricity to be a threshold quantity (expressed in megawatts) for the purposes of paragraph (iii) and may prescribe different amounts in relation to different classes of licence holder,

(iii) provide that a person holding a licence under section 14 who does not generate an amount of electricity greater than the relevant threshold quantity may, but is not required to, make available for trading under the Single Electricity Market such electricity as is generated by that person.

(3) In performing the function referred to in subsection (1) the Commission shall monitor, supervise and keep under review the operation and effectiveness of the Single Electricity Market including the functions of the Single Electricity Market operator, and may make regulations under subsection (2) in relation to the Single Electricity Market.]

9BB.—(1) (a) This subsection applies to information received by the Minister or the Commission, which information has been given to that person under or by virtue of—

(i) any provision of the law of Northern Ireland corresponding to a provision under this Act (including a condition in a licence, exemption or authorisation granted under it) or the Internal Market Regulations, or

(ii) a licence, exemption or authorisation granted in Northern Ireland by the Department analogous to a licence, exemption or authorisation which may be granted by the Commission under this Act.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), information to which this subsection applies shall not be disclosed or published by the recipient of the information unless—

(i) that person is required or permitted to disclose that information—

(I) under or by virtue of any enactment, or

(II) by order of a Court exercising its jurisdiction,

or

(ii) such disclosure or publication is made for the purpose of facilitating the performance of any of the functions of that person under this Act.

(c) The Minister and the Commission, to the extent that each of them believes it necessary or expedient for the effective operation of the Single Electricity Market, may share information with such persons exercising a function in Northern Ireland in relation to electricity which corresponds to any of the functions of the Commission or the Minister under—

(i) the Electricity and Gas Regulation Acts 1999 to 2002, or

(ii) the Internal Market Regulations,

including information which is commercially sensitive, and information which has been furnished to that person by the holder of a licence or exemption under section 14 or the holder of an authorisation under section 16.

(2) (a) This subsection applies to information received by the holder of a licence, an exemption or an authorisation, which information has been given to that person under or by virtue of—

(i) this Act (including a condition of a licence, exemption or authorisation granted under it),

(ii) the Internal Market Regulations,

(iii) any corresponding provision of the law of Northern Ireland, or

(iv) a licence, exemption or authorisation granted in Northern Ireland by the Department analogous to a licence, exemption or authorisation which may be issued by the Commission under this Act.

(b) Information to which this subsection applies shall not be disclosed or published by the recipient of the information unless that person is required to disclose or publish that information—

(i) by reason of a condition in a licence, exemption or authorisation,

(ii) under or by virtue of any enactment, or

(iii) by order of a Court exercising its jurisdiction.]

9BC.—(1) The principal objective of—

(a) the Minister in carrying out his or her electricity functions in relation to matters which the Minister considers materially affect, or are likely materially to affect, the Single Electricity Market,

(b) the Commission in giving effect to any decision of the SEM Committee, and

(c) the SEM Committee in carrying out its functions under section 8A(4),

is to protect the interests of consumers of electricity in the State and Northern Ireland supplied by authorised persons, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities connected with, the sale or purchase of electricity through the Single Electricity Market.

(2) The Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee shall carry out their respective functions referred to in subsection (1) in the manner which each considers is best calculated to further the principal objective, having regard to—

(a) the need to secure that all reasonable demands for electricity in the State and Northern Ireland are met,

(b) the need to secure that authorised persons are able to finance the activities which are the subject of conditions or obligations imposed by or under this Act or the Internal Market Regulations or any corresponding provision of the law of Northern Ireland,

(c) the need to secure that the functions of the Minister, the Commission, the Authority, and the Department in relation to the Single Electricity Market are exercised in a co-ordinated manner,

(d) the need to ensure transparent pricing in the Single Electricity Market, and

(e) the need to avoid unfair discrimination between consumers in the State and consumers in Northern Ireland.

(3) The Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee may, in carrying out any of the functions mentioned in subsection (1), have regard to the interests of consumers in the State and Northern Ireland in relation to gas.

(4) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee shall carry out the functions mentioned in subsection (1) in the manner which each of them consider is best calculated—

(a) to promote efficiency and economy on the part of authorised persons,

(b) to secure a diverse, viable and environmentally sustainable long-term energy supply in the State and Northern Ireland,

(c) to promote research into, and the development and use of—

(i) new techniques by or on behalf of authorised persons, and

(ii) methods of increasing efficiency in the use and generation of electricity.

(5) Subject to subsection (2), in carrying out any of the functions mentioned in subsection (1) the Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee shall have regard to—

(a) the effect on the environment in the State and Northern Ireland of the activities of authorised persons, and

(b) the need, where appropriate, to promote the use of energy from renewable energy sources.

(6) In carrying out any of the functions mentioned in subsection (1) the Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee shall not discriminate unfairly as regards terms and conditions—

(a) between authorised persons, or

(b) between persons who are applying to become authorised persons.

(7) In this section—

“authorised person” means the holder of a licence or exemption under a provision of this Act relating to electricity or under any corresponding provision of the law of Northern Ireland;

“electricity functions” means—

(a) functions under this Act, and

(b) functions under the Internal Market Regulations,

relating to electricity;

“environmentally sustainable” includes the need to guard against climate change;

“renewable energy sources” has the same meaning as in Directive 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 96/92/EC⁶.]

9BD.—The Minister, the Commission and the SEM Committee shall have regard to the objective that the performance of any of their respective functions in relation to the Single Electricity Market should, to the extent that the person exercising the function believes is practical in the circumstances, be transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent and targeted only at cases where action is needed.]

F154[9C.—(1) It is a function of the Commission to regulate the activities of electrical contractors with respect to safety.

(2) In carrying out its functions under this section, the Commission may by notice require electricity undertakings to advise and provide information to their final customers and the public in respect of the safe installation and maintenance of electrical works in such manner and frequency as the Commission, may from time to time, direct.]]

9D.—(1) (a) The Commission may appoint a person or persons to be a designated body for the purposes of this section and such body may be referred to as an Electrical Safety Supervisory Body.

(b) Where the Commission has not appointed a person or persons to be a designated body, or a designated body is, in the opinion of the Commission, no longer able to carry out its functions under this section, the Commission may, with the consent of the Minister, appoint an employee of the Commission to carry out those functions on a temporary basis.

(2) (a) In determining the number of persons appointed under subsection (1) the Commission shall have regard to the costs likely to be incurred—

(i) by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this section, and

(ii) by final customers.

(b) Paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 shall apply to any costs incurred by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this section.

(c) In paragraph (b) the words “any costs incurred by the Commission” includes any moneys provided by the Commission to a designated body, following its appointment under subsection (1), to facilitate that body in establishing and carrying out its functions.

(3) A person shall not be appointed to be a designated body, or if so appointed shall cease to act as a designated body, if that person is or becomes a trade association or performs representative functions on behalf of persons working in the electrical industry.

(4) A person who does not for the time being stand appointed as a designated body shall not describe himself or herself as an Electrical Safety Supervisory Body or in a manner likely to suggest that such person is a designated body for the purposes of this section.

(5) (a) The Commission shall publish criteria (in this section referred to as “the criteria”) relating to—

(i) electrical safety supervision,

(ii) the safety standards to be achieved and maintained by electrical contractors, and

(iii) the procedures to be operated by a person appointed as a designated body.

(b) The criteria to be published in connection with paragraph (a) shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:

(i) the procedures to be adopted by a designated body for the registration of its members;

(ii) the procedures to be followed by a person applying for membership of a designated body;

(iii) the services which a designated body may carry out on behalf of its members to facilitate the performance of its functions;

(iv) the standards of training and safety to be achieved and maintained by members of a designated body and the procedures to be followed by a designated body in monitoring such standards;

(v) the procedures to be followed by a designated body for the inspection of any work carried out by one of its members, or by a person who is not a registered electrical contractor;

(vi) the procedures to be followed by a designated body in connection with the suspension or revocation of the membership of one of its members;

(vii) the matters to be covered by a completion certificate in respect of different categories or classes of electrical works and the circumstances in which each such class of certificate shall be used;

(viii) the type of accounts to be kept by the designated body, and the manner in which such accounts should be audited;

(ix) the method by which the accounts kept under subparagraph (viii) should be published; and

(x) the procedures to be followed, and the records to be maintained, by a designated body or its members (where appropriate), in connection with subparagraphs (i) to (ix).

(c) The Commission may review or amend the criteria as often as it considers necessary.

(6) The Commission shall not appoint a person to be a designated body unless it is satisfied that the person is capable of complying with the criteria, and as respects each person who is a member (in this section referred to as a “registered electrical contractor”) of that designated body that the body has, or will have if appointed, the capability and entitlement to—

(a) inspect any work carried out by a registered electrical contractor,

(b) monitor the training and safety standards of a person who is a registered electrical contractor,

(c) review training undertaken by a person engaged either as an employee or as an independent contractor of a registered electrical contractor,

(d) issue directions to a registered electrical contractor regarding the training to be given to or undertaken by a class or classes of persons engaged either as employees or as independent contractors,

(e) suspend the membership of a registered electrical contractor in a designated body where that registered electrical contractor is the subject of an investigation by that body into whether—

(i) work carried out by the registered electrical contractor concerned is unsafe or otherwise of an unsatisfactory standard,

(ii) the training of employees and independent contractors engaged by the registered electrical contractor concerned is materially inadequate, or

(iii) the registered electrical contractor has acted in contravention of the criteria to a material extent,

(f) suspend or revoke the membership of a registered electrical contractor in the designated body where that body is satisfied that any of the matters specified in subparagraphs (i) to (iii) of paragraph (e) apply as respects the contractor concerned.

(7) (a) Where a designated body decides to suspend or revoke the membership of a registered electrical contractor in that body, such designated body shall inform, in writing, both—

(i) the Commission, and

(ii) the registered electrical contractor concerned,

of its decision to suspend or revoke the membership of a registered electrical contractor in the designated body.

(b) A registered electrical contractor, the subject of a decision under paragraph (a), may submit an appeal, in writing, of the decision to the Commission within 28 days of being informed of the decision.

(8) (a) The Commission shall appoint one or more persons (“Appeals Officer”) to—

(i) duly consider, and

(ii) furnish a report to the Commission on,

any appeal submitted by a registered electrical contractor relating to a decision made by the designated body to suspend or revoke his or her membership in the designated body.

(b) The Commission shall have regard to the report of the Appeals Officer under paragraph (a) and shall advise the designated body, the Appeals Officer and the registered electrical contractor concerned of its decision to confirm, vary or set aside the decision of the designated body concerned.

(c) An appeal shall not be considered under this subsection if—

(i) it relates to any matter the subject of proceedings before a court or other tribunal, until those proceedings are determined, or

(ii) it is not submitted to the Commission within 28 days of the registered electrical contractor concerned being informed of the decision.

(9) Notwithstanding the generality of subsections (7) and (8), the Commission may specify the procedures to be followed by:

(a) the Appeals Officer in considering the appeal;

(b) the Appeals Officer in drafting his or her report to the Commission;

(c) the designated body when suspending or revoking the membership of a registered electrical contractor; and

(d) a registered electrical contractor who is the subject of a decision by the designated body to suspend or revoke his or her membership in the designated body,

in the criteria published under subsection (5).

(10) (a) The tariff of fees and charges imposed by a designated body relating to—

(i) membership of an electrical contractor in that body,

(ii) registration of an electrical contractor as a registered electrical contractor,

(iii) inspections of electrical works, and

(iv) any service provided to a member of a designated body by or on behalf of that body,

shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.

(b) All expenses and costs incurred by a designated body in carrying out any of its functions under this section shall be defrayed by the designated body out of funds at its disposal which are obtained in accordance with paragraph (a).

(11) A person may not be a member of more than one designated body.

(12) Where a registered electrical contractor carries out electrical works, the works shall be carried out in accordance with the safety requirements approved by the Commission from time to time.

(13) Where a registered electrical contractor carries out electrical works, which by reason of a determination by the Commission under subsection (27) are specified works, the registered electrical contractor concerned shall issue a completion certificate to the person who requested the works to be carried out.

(14) Where specified works are carried out by an electrical contractor who is not a member of a designated body, the person on whose behalf the specified works are being carried out shall request a designated body to arrange for the carrying out of an inspection of the works and, if the works meet the safety requirements approved by the Commission, for the issue of a completion certificate.

(15) A designated body which receives a request under subsection (14) shall arrange for the carrying out of the inspection as soon as practicable and, if appropriate, the issue of a completion certificate.

(16) Subject to subsection (17), a designated body shall be entitled to payment of fees and charges in respect of the inspection of the works, and those fees and charges shall be no greater than is set out in the tariff of fees and charges published by the designated body concerned.

(17) The tariff of fees and charges referred to in subsection (16) shall not have effect until approved by the Commission, which approval shall not be given unless the Commission is satisfied that the fees and charges are calculated on the basis of the reasonable costs attributable to the carrying out of inspections under this section.

(18) The Commission shall specify a form of completion certificate to be used for the purposes of this section and may specify different forms for different circumstances or different classes of electrical work and may make provision relating to—

(a) procedures to be followed, and

(b) records to be maintained,

by registered electrical contractors and a designated body in connection with the issue of such certificates.

(19) (a) The Commission may conduct an inspection or audit of a designated body to verify compliance by the designated body with the requirements of this section, the terms and conditions of appointment and the criteria of the Commission.

(b) The Commission may appoint a person to assist it in performing inspections or audits referred to in paragraph (a).

(20) The Commission may determine the appointment of a designated body—

(a) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the appointment,

(b) where the Commission is of the opinion that an act or default by the designated body is a cause of serious danger to the public, with immediate effect, or

(c) where it is, in the opinion of the Commission, in the interests of consumers that the appointment be determined, and paragraph (b) does not apply, on giving not less than 3 months notice or such shorter period as may be specified in the terms and conditions of appointment in that respect.

(21) The Commission may appoint a person, including a person who is an employee of a designated body, to be an authorised officer for the purposes of carrying out inspections of electrical work—

(a) of registered electrical contractors on any land where the authorised officer believes such work is being or has been carried out by such a contractor, or

(b) which has been the subject of a completion certificate,

but an authorised officer who is an employee of a designated body shall not exercise the powers conferred under this section as respects the work of a person who is a member of a designated body other than the designated body by which the authorised officer concerned is employed.

(22) A person appointed to be an authorised officer under subsection (21) shall on his or her appointment be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment, and when exercising a power conferred by this section shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce such certificate to that person for inspection.

(23) A registered electrical contractor and every employee or independent contractor of a registered electrical contractor shall give all reasonable assistance to—

(a) an authorised officer in the exercise of his or her powers under this section, and

(b) the Commission in exercising its powers under subsection (19) including a person assisting the Commission pursuant to subsection (19).

(24) A person shall not obstruct—

(a) an authorised officer performing any function he or she is authorised to exercise or perform under this section,

(b) the Commission in exercising its powers under this section, or

(c) a person assisting the Commission pursuant to subsection (19).

(25) A person shall not describe himself or herself as a registered electrical contractor or in a manner likely to suggest that such person is a registered electrical contractor unless that person is for the time being a member of a designated body.

(26) A person who contravenes subsection (4), (24) or (25) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding F156[€50,000] or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both.

(27) The Commission, having consulted with such persons as it considers appropriate, may determine that a class or classes of electrical works be specified works.

(28) In this section—

“completion certificate”means a certificate the form of which has been specified by the Commission under subsection (18);

“designated body” means a person appointed under subsection (1) to be a designated body for the purposes of this section;

“specified works ”means such class or classes of works as have been determined to be such by the Commission in accordance with subsection (27).]

9E.—(1) The Commission, having consulted with such persons as it considers appropriate, and with the consent of the Minister, may by regulations designate a class or classes of electrical works to be designated electrical works.

(2) Where the Commission proposes to make regulations under subsection (1) the Minister, where he or she has approved the draft of such regulations, shall cause a draft of the regulations to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.

(3) A person shall not carry out electrical works which are designated electrical works unless that person is a registered electrical contractor.

(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €15,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both.]

9EA.—(1) The Commission may appoint a person to be an electrical investigation officer for the purposes of investigating whether designated electrical works and specified works are carried out safely and adequately and by registered electrical contractors.

(2) In exercising his or her powers under this section an electrical investigation officer may enter on any land or premises at any reasonable time where he or she has reason to believe that designated electrical works or specified works have been or are being carried out and there—

(a) make such inspections or inquiries and carry out such tests including inspection of specified or designated electrical work carried out by any person in the interests of safety, as he or she thinks fit,

(b) take any verbal or written statement, measurement or photograph or make any electrical or electronic recording which he or she considers necessary for the purposes of any such inspection or inquiry,

(c) take samples of electrical cabling or fittings or any other part of an electrical installation which he or she considers necessary to the inspection or inquiry,

(d) require any relevant person in authority to produce to him or her such documents, records or materials as are in that person’s possession or control relating to the matter under inquiry and to give to him or her such information as he or she may reasonably require in regard to such documents, records or materials,

(e) inspect and copy or extract information from documents, records or materials produced to him or her under paragraph (d) or which he or she finds during the course of entry on the land or into the premises concerned,

(f) carry out such designated works or specified works or take such measures as he or she considers appropriate, including requesting the distribution system operator to disconnect or turn off the supply of electricity, for the protection of any person or any property from any danger arising from electrical works,

(g) where he or she has carried out designated works or specified works under paragraph (f) issue a completion certificate for such works,

(h) instruct any person to perform or refrain from performing any act, if in the opinion of the electrical investigation officer, the performance or non performance of such act is necessary for the purposes of preserving evidence or in order to reduce or prevent any danger arising from electricity.

(3) Where an electrical investigation officer enters on any land or into any premises in pursuance of his or her duties under this section, he or she shall act in a reasonable manner and shall provide a report on his or her activities and findings to either the Commission or the designated body or both as the case may be.

(4) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment by the Commission and when exercising a power conferred by this section shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce the certificate to such person for inspection.

(5) Where an electrical investigation officer enters on land or into any premises in pursuance of powers conferred by this section, the Commission shall ensure as soon as possible after the powers have been exercised under this section that—

(a) the land or premises, as the case may be, is left no less secure by reason of the entry, and

(b) any damage caused by the electrical investigation officer is made good or that compensation is paid to the occupier or owner of the land concerned.

(6) A person commits an offence if he or she—

(a) obstructs or impedes an electrical investigation officer in the exercise of his or her powers conferred by this section,

(b) fails or refuses to comply with an instruction given by an electrical investigation officer under this section,

(c) knowingly gives to an electrical investigation officer information which is false or misleading in a material respect, or

(d) turns on or reconnects the supply of electricity which supply has been turned off or disconnected by the distribution system operator on the request of the electrical investigation officer without the consent of the distribution system operator.

(7) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €15,000.

(8) In this section:

“designated electrical works” means a class of electrical works designated under section 9E(1);

“electrical investigation officer” means a person appointed as such under subsection (1);

“specified works” has the meaning assigned to it by section 9D(28).]

9F.—(1) (a) The Commission may appoint a person to be the designated body for the purposes of this section and such body may be referred to as a Gas Safety Supervisory Body.

(b) Where the Commission has not appointed a person to be the designated body, or the designated body is, in the opinion of the Commission, no longer able to carry out its functions under this section, the Commission may, with the consent of the Minister, appoint an employee of the Commission to carry out those functions on a temporary basis.

(2) (a) In appointing a person to be the designated body in accordance with subsection (1) the Commission shall have regard to the costs likely to be incurred—

(i) by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this section, and

(ii) by final customers.

(b) Paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 shall apply to any costs incurred by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this section.

(c) In paragraph (b) the words “any costs incurred by the Commission” includes any moneys provided by the Commission to the designated body, following its appointment under subsection (1), to facilitate that body in establishing and carrying out its functions.

(3) A person shall not be appointed to be the designated body, or if so appointed shall cease to act as the designated body, if that person is or becomes a trade association or performs representative functions on behalf of persons working in the gas industry.

(4) A person who does not for the time being stand appointed as the designated body shall not describe himself or herself as a Gas Safety Supervisory Body or in a manner likely to suggest that such person is the designated body for the purposes of this section.

(5) (a) The Commission shall publish criteria (in this section referred to as “the criteria”) relating to—

(i) gas safety supervision,

(ii) the safety standards to be achieved and maintained by gas installers, and

(iii) the procedures to be operated by a person appointed as the designated body.

(b) The criteria document to be published in connection with paragraph (a) shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:

(i) the procedures to be adopted by the designated body for the registration of its members;

(ii) the procedures to be followed by a person applying for membership of the designated body;

(iii) the services which the designated body may carry out on behalf of its members;

(iv) the standards of training and safety to be achieved and maintained by members of the designated body and the procedures to be followed by the designated body in monitoring such standards;

(v) the procedures to be followed by the designated body for the inspection of any work carried out by one of its members;

(vi) the procedures to be followed by the designated body in connection with the suspension or revocation of the membership of one of its members;

(vii) the matters to be covered by a completion certificate in respect of different categories or classes of gas works and the circumstances in which each such class of certificate shall be used;

(viii) the type of accounts to be kept by the designated body, and the manner in which such accounts should be audited;

(ix) the method by which the accounts kept under subparagraph (viii) should be published; and

(x) the procedures to be followed, and the records to be maintained, by the designated body or its members (where appropriate), in connection with subparagraphs (i) to (ix).

(c) The Commission may review or amend the criteria as often as it considers necessary.

(6) The Commission shall not appoint a person to be the designated body unless it is satisfied that the person is capable of complying with the criteria, and as respects each person who is a member (in this section referred to as a “registered gas installer”) of the designated body that the body has, or will have if appointed, the capability and entitlement to—

(a) inspect any work carried out by a registered gas installer,

(b) monitor the training and standards of a person who is a registered gas installer,

(c) suspend the membership of a registered gas installer in the designated body where that registered gas installer is the subject of an investigation by that body into whether—

(i) work carried out by the registered gas installer concerned is unsafe or otherwise of an unsatisfactory standard, or

(ii) the registered gas installer concerned has acted in contravention of the criteria to a material extent,

(d) suspend or revoke the membership of a registered gas installer in the designated body where the body has established that any of the matters specified in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of paragraph (c) apply as respects the installer concerned.

(7) (a) Where the designated body decides to suspend or revoke the membership of a registered gas installer in the body, the designated body shall inform, in writing, both—

(i) the Commission, and

(ii) the registered gas installer concerned,

of its decision to suspend or revoke the membership of a registered gas installer in the designated body.

(b) A registered gas installer, the subject of a decision under paragraph (a), may submit an appeal, in writing, of the decision to the Commission within 28 days of being informed of the decision.

(8) (a) The Commission shall appoint one or more persons (“Appeals Officer”) to—

(i) duly consider, and

(ii) furnish a report to the Commission on,

any appeal submitted by a registered gas installer relating to a decision made by the designated body to suspend or revoke his or her membership in the designated body.

(b) The Commission shall have regard to the report of the Appeals Officer under paragraph (a) and shall advise the designated body, the Appeals Officer and the registered gas installer concerned of its decision to confirm, vary or set aside the decision of the body.

(c) An appeal shall not be considered under this subsection if—

(i) it relates to any matter the subject of proceedings before a court or other tribunal, until those proceedings are determined, or

(ii) it is not submitted to the Commission within 28 days of the registered gas installer concerned being informed of the decision.

(9) Notwithstanding the generality of subsections (7) and (8), the Commission may specify the procedures to be followed by—

(a) the Appeals Officer in considering the appeal,

(b) the Appeals Officer in drafting his or her report to the Commission,

(c) the designated body when suspending or revoking the membership of a registered gas installer, and

(d) a registered gas installer who is the subject of a decision by the designated body to revoke his or her membership in the designated body,

in the criteria published under subsection (5).

(10) (a) The tariff of fees and charges imposed by the designated body relating to—

(i) membership of a gas installer in the body,

(ii) registration of a gas installer as a registered gas installer,

(iii) inspections of gas works, and

(iv) any service provided to a member of the designated body by or on behalf of the body,

shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.

(b) The designated body may impose fees and charges under paragraph (a) of different amounts in respect of different categories of membership, registration or service as the Commission may specify in the criteria.

(c) All expenses incurred by the designated body in carrying out any of its functions under this section shall be defrayed by the designated body out of funds at its disposal which are obtained in accordance with paragraph (a).

(11) Where a registered gas installer carries out any gas works, the works shall be carried out in accordance with any safety requirements which the Commission may specify in the criteria.

(12) Where a registered gas installer carries out any gas works, the registered gas installer concerned shall issue the appropriate completion certificate to the person who requested that the works be carried out.

(13) A person on whose behalf a registered gas installer has carried out any gas works may request, on grounds specified in writing, that the designated body arrange for the carrying out of an inspection of those gas works.

(14) The designated body shall, after it receives a request under subsection (13), arrange for the carrying out of an inspection as soon as practicable, and following its completion, shall advise, in writing, both the registered gas installer who carried out the gas works and the person who requested that the inspection be carried out, as to whether the gas works meet the safety requirements of the Commission.

(15) Subject to subsection (16), the designated body shall be entitled to payment of fees and charges in respect of the inspection of gas works under subsection (14), which fees and charges shall be no greater than is set out in the tariff of fees and charges published by the designated body.

(16) The tariff of fees and charges referred to in subsection (15) shall not have effect until approved by the Commission, which approval shall not be given unless the Commission is satisfied that the fees and charges are calculated on the basis of the reasonable costs attributable to the carrying out of inspections under this section.

(17) The Commission shall specify a form of completion certificate to be used for the purposes of this section and may specify different forms for different circumstances or different classes of work and may make provision relating to—

(a) procedures to be followed, and

(b) records to be maintained,

by registered gas installers in connection with the issue of such certificates.

(18) (a) The Commission may conduct an inspection or audit of the designated body to verify compliance by the designated body with the requirements of this section, the terms and conditions of appointment and the criteria of the Commission.

(b) The Commission may appoint a person to assist it in performing inspections or audits referred to in paragraph (a).

(19) The Commission may determine the appointment of the designated body—

(a) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the appointment,

(b) where the Commission is of the opinion that an act or default by the designated body is a cause of serious danger to the public, with immediate effect, or

(c) where it is, in the opinion of the Commission, in the interests of consumers that the appointment be determined, and paragraph (b) does not apply, on giving not less than 3 months notice or such shorter period as may be specified in the terms and conditions of appointment in that respect.

(20) The Commission may appoint a person, including a person who is an employee of the designated body, to be an authorised officer for the purposes of carrying out inspections of the work—

(a) of a registered gas installer on any land where the authorised officer believes such work is being or has been carried out by such an installer, or

(b) which has been the subject of a completion certificate.

(21) A person appointed to be an authorised officer under subsection (20) shall on his or her appointment be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment, and when exercising a power conferred by this section shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce such certificate to that person for inspection.

(22) A registered gas installer and every employee or independent contractor of a registered gas installer shall give all reasonable assistance to—

(a) an authorised officer in the exercise of his or her powers under this section, and

(b) the Commission in exercising its powers under subsection (18) including a person assisting the Commission pursuant to subsection (18).

(23) A person shall not obstruct—

(a) an authorised officer performing any function he or she is authorised to exercise or perform under this section,

(b) the Commission in exercising its powers under this section, or

(c) a person assisting the Commission pursuant to subsection (18).

(24) A person shall not—

(a) describe himself or herself as a registered gas installer, or

(b) describe himself or herself in a manner likely to suggest that he or she is a registered gas installer, unless that person is a member of the designated body.

(25) A person who contravenes subsection (4), (23) or (24) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding F160[€50,000] or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both.

(26) In this section—

“completion certificate”means a certificate the form of which has been specified by the Commission under subsection (17);

“designated body”means a person appointed under subsection (1) to be the designated body for the purposes of this section;

“gas works” means works designated to be such under section 9G.]

9G.—(1) The Commission, having consulted with such persons as it considers appropriate, and with the consent of the Minister, may by regulations designate a class or classes of works to be gas works.

F162[(2) In this section “works” means work which is related to the installation, removal, repair or replacement of a natural gas fitting or an LPG fitting. ]]

F163[(3) A person shall not carry out works which are gas works unless that person is—

(a) a registered gas installer,

(b) a gas transmission system operator carrying out its functions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant licence,

(c) a gas distribution system operator carrying out its functions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant licence,

(d) a gas emergency officer appointed under section 9I performing his or her duties, or

(e) a gas safety officer appointed under section 9J performing his or her functions under that section.

(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €15,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.]

F165[9H.—(1) The Commission may, in the performance of its functions under paragraphs (ea), (eb) and (ed) of section 9(1) make regulations relating to gas safety.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) regulations made under this section may provide for—

(a) specifications or requirements regarding the installation or maintenance of natural gas fittings and LPG fittings, and

(b) the conditions to be fulfilled before natural gas or LPG may be connected or reconnected to any premises following the installation, maintenance, modification or repair of a natural gas fitting or LPG fitting, as the case may be.]

(3) Where the Commission propose to make regulations under this section, the Commission shall, before doing so, consult with the Minister, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and such other Minister of the Government (if any) as, in the opinion of the Commission, appears appropriate.

(4) A person who fails to comply with regulations made under this section is guilty of an offence under this section.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €15,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both.

(6) (a) Notwithstanding anything specified in regulations made under subsection (2), nothing in this section shall be construed as placing an onus of responsibility on a gas installer to ensure that a natural gas fitting F166[or LPG fitting] which he or she has correctly installed in a dwelling, place of business or any common area is safely maintained after the point of delivery of natural gas F167[or LPG, as the case may be], unless a contractual obligation exists obliging the installer concerned to do so.

(b) Unless specified in any other enactment, the person responsible for ensuring that a natural gas fitting F168[or LPG fitting] is safely maintained after the point of delivery of natural gas F169[or LPG, as the case may be,] shall be—

(i) in the case of a dwelling:

(I) where that dwelling is the subject of a tenancy, but is not the subject of a lease between a landlord and tenant, the person entitled to receive the rent;

(II) where that dwelling is the subject of a lease between a landlord and tenant, the landlord (subject to the responsibilities of landlords and tenants as set out in sections 12 and 16 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004); or

(III) where that dwelling is not the subject of a lease or tenancy between a landlord and tenant, the person who would be entitled to receive the rent if the dwelling were the subject of a tenancy or lease,

(ii) in the case of a premises used as a place of business:

(I) where that premises is the subject of a lease between a landlord and tenant, and a covenant (whether express or implied and whether general or specific) exists that the tenant, as lessee, shall keep the premises in repair, the tenant in occupation; or

(II) where that premises is not a premises to which clause (I) applies, such person as the Commission may specify from time to time in the framework F170[published under section 9(1G)], following consultation with the Minister, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and such other Minister of the Government (if any) as, in the opinion of the Minister, appears appropriate,

and

(iii) in the case of a common area of land which includes any dwellings the subject of subparagraph (i), or any places of business the subject of subparagraph (ii), or both, and which area is being managed by a management company, that management company.

(c) For the purposes of this subsection—

(i) the term “business ”is to be interpreted in accordance with the meaning given it by section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980,

(ii) the term “dwelling ”is to be interpreted in accordance with the meaning given it by section 4 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004,

(iii) the terms “lease”, “landlord”, “tenant”, and tenancy” as they are used in paragraph (b)(i) , are to be interpreted in accordance with the meaning given to them by section 5 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, and

(iv) the terms lease”, lessee”, landlord ”and tenant ”as they are used in paragraph (b)(ii) are to be interpreted in accordance with the meaning given to them by section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980.]

F172[9I.—(1) A transmission system operator or a distribution system operator in relation to natural gas or a holder of a LPG safety licence may appoint a person to be a gas emergency officer for the purposes of this section.

(2) A gas emergency officer may, subject to this section, enter and inspect any land (with reasonable force, if he or she considers it necessary in the circumstances) without giving notice or obtaining the consent of any person, and there take such measures as the officer considers appropriate for the protection of any person or any property from any danger arising from natural gas or LPG.

(3) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment by the system operator or LPG undertaking making the appointment, and when exercising a power conferred by this section shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce such certificate to such person.

(4) A gas emergency officer may not exercise the powers conferred by this section unless he or she is of the opinion that there is or may be a danger to any person or property arising from—

(a) the use, misuse or leakage of natural gas or LPG, or

(b) a defect or possible defect in any pipeline or natural gas fitting or LPG fitting.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), in exercising his or her powers under this section a gas emergency officer may—

(a) instruct any person to evacuate any place until such time as the premises are, in the opinion of the officer, safe,

(b) instruct any person to perform or refrain from performing any act, if in the opinion of the officer, the performance or non-performance of such act is necessary in order to reduce or prevent any danger arising from natural gas or LPG,

(c) search for any escaped natural gas or LPG, or any leak or defect in any pipeline or natural gas fitting or LPG fitting, or

(d) interrupt or disconnect the supply of natural gas or LPG without notice.

(6) Where a gas emergency officer enters on land in pursuance of powers conferred by this section, the transmission system operator or the distribution system operator or a LPG undertaking on whose behalf the entry was made shall ensure as soon as possible after the powers have been exercised under this section that—

(a) the land is left no less secure by reason of the entry, and

(b) any damage caused by the gas emergency officer is made good or that compensation is paid to the occupier or owner of the land concerned.

(7) A person who—

(a) obstructs or impedes a gas emergency officer in the exercise of powers conferred by this section,

(b) fails or refuses to comply with an instruction given by a gas emergency officer under this section,

(c) knowingly gives to a gas emergency officer information which is false or misleading in a material respect, or

(d) turns on or reconnects the supply of natural gas or LPG where supply has been turned off or disconnected by a gas emergency officer, without the consent of a gas emergency officer,

commits an offence.

(8) A person who commits an offence under subsection (7) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €15,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or to both.]]

F174[9J.—(1) The Commission may appoint a person to be a gas safety officer for the purposes of—

(a) this section,

(b) paragraphs (ea), (eb) and (ed) of section 9(1),

(c) section 9(1G), and

(d) investigating alleged contraventions of sections 9F(4), 9F(23) and (24), 9G(3) and 9H(4).]

(2) A gas safety officer may, subject to the provisions of this section—

(a) enter and inspect any land (with force if he or she considers it necessary in the circumstances) without giving notice or obtaining the consent of any person, and there inspect any—

(i) natural gas pipeline,

F175[(ia) piped LPG distribution network,]

(ii) natural gas installation or facility (including a storage facility),

(iii) natural gas fitting, F176[…]

F177[(iiia) LPG fitting, or,]

(iv) ventilation fittings (whether mechanical or otherwise) associated with or required for the safe operation of a natural gas fitting F178[or LPG fitting],

and take such measures as the officer considers appropriate for the protection of any person or any property F179[from any danger arising from natural gas or LPG, as the case may be,]

(b) enter on any land at any reasonable time and there—

(i) make such inspections and carry out such tests as he or she thinks fit in relation to any activities in or on a premises or installation,

(ii) take any measurement or photograph or make any electrical or electronic recording which he or she considers necessary for the purposes of any such examination or inquiry,

(iii) require any relevant person in authority to produce to him or her such documents, records or materials as are in that person’s possession or control relating to the matter under inquiry and to give to him or her such information as he or she may reasonably require in regard to such documents, record or materials,

(iv) inspect and copy or extract information from documents, records or materials produced to him or her under subparagraph (iii) or which he or she finds during the course of entry to premises,

(v) take samples of natural gas F180[or LPG, as the case may be].

(3) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment by the Commission, and when exercising a power conferred by this section shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce such certificate to such person.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), in exercising his or her powers under this section, a gas safety officer may—

(a) instruct any person to evacuate any premises until such time as the premises are, in the opinion of the officer, safe,

(b) instruct any person to perform or refrain from performing any act, if in the opinion of the officer, the performance or non-performance of such act is necessary in order to reduce or prevent any danger arising from natural gas F181[or LPG, as the case may be],

F182[(c) search for any escaped natural gas or LPG, as the case may be, or any leak or defect in any pipeline, natural gas fitting or LPG fitting, ]

(d) interrupt or disconnect the supply of F183[natural gas or LPG, as the case may be,] without notice.

(5) Where a gas safety officer enters on land in pursuance of powers conferred by this section, the Commission shall ensure as soon as possible after the powers have been exercised under this section—

(a) that the land is left no less secure by reason of the entry,

(b) any damage caused by the gas safety officer is made good or that compensation is paid to the occupier or owner of the land concerned.

(6) A person who—

(a) obstructs or impedes a gas safety officer in the exercise of powers conferred by this section,

(b) fails or refuses to comply with an instruction given by a gas safety officer under this section,

(c) knowingly gives to a gas safety officer information which is false or misleading in a material respect, or