Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee Prepared by Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors Ireland 18 th February 2015

100,000 illegal boilers Installed since regulatory system began in June 2009 Deeply concerned, Lives at risk, Potential to kill

   In 2012 Dermott Jewel CEO of The Consumers Association of Ireland done an independent survey of Gas Boiler Sales in the ROI (6 main brands only)  He found the minimum figure for 2011 was 27,500+

Under legislation The CER has responsibility for putting in place a Comprehensive system of safety. In June 2009 the CER set up the Register Gas Installers Ireland (RGII) The RGII remit is:  To regulate Registered Gas Installers (only)  To investigate complaints  RGII are not responsible for looking for illegal Installers or Works Who takes responsibility for going out and pro actively identifying illegal works and operators ??? The System unlike NI is not fit for purpose

 For over 3 years APHCI has been talking to the CER & RGII about the scale of the illegal and Black Market operators  In 2014 after years of denying the problem, the CER acknowledged to the APHCI that action is needed  Despite the acknowledgement, little or no actions have been taken  CER in its recently published decision paper entitled “ The Regulation of the Gas Installer Industry with respect to Safety from 2016” said  “The CER is of the view that, in general, the scheme has worked effectively to regulate gas installers from a safety perspective.”

 30,000 gas boilers sold each year 12,000 certs returned  By law all gas boilers must be certified, a copy of the certificate returned to RGII within 10 days  No of Registered Installers NI= 2,000  No of Registered Installers ROI = 2,775 ( 13 th Feb 2015)  No of gas installers ROI = 4,984 (CER survey 2009)  650,000 gas customers ROI  Less than 6,000 Boiler replacement certs returned to RGII each year  This means a gas boiler is being replaced on average every 108 years  Safety cut-offs/disconnections up 133% in 2011 (CER Safety report to minister 2011)

 An independent public enquiry which would finally establish all of the facts  We need pro-active policing, not advertising  We need sufficient penalties for those who break the law  Someone to take responsibility for the seriousness of what is happening  Legislation – Sale of boilers ONLY to registered gas installers – Unique number/barcoded, easy to track and trace  Random inspections  No home should be insured unless their gas boiler is certified

 In a recent survey of Registered Gas Installers (completed 12 th February 2015)  98% said they had no confidence in CER  95% said they had no confidence in RGII  98% said they had no confidence in the regulatory system  98% Would like an independent public inquiry  The system allows illegal's operate unhindered with little or no chance of being prosecuted  IP address 4 th Feb 31recci 5 th Feb 81/ Theory Office Based System

 A level Playing Field  A Proactive approach to finding illegal's.  We want the JOC to provide an independent consultant to investigate the regulatory system