Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland
Commencement: Not provided
Amends: Gas Act 1976
*Natural gas facility means a facility or pipeline that transmits or stores natural gas**.
**Natural gas is a non-renewable source of gas that is extracted from rock formations.
It aims to ensure the safety of people operating or constructing natural gas facilities and pipelines.
Irish Gas Board
*An operator is any person operating under a natural gas licence.
The Irish Gas Board may:
- maintain, repair and demolish natural gas infrastructure including pipelines, terminals and pressure-reducing stations;
- place markers to indicate the presence of pipelines;
- impose conditions on natural gas facilities;
- temporarily close or divert rivers, streams and watercourses; and
- require metres to be installed to measure the volume of gas supplied.
Licences
Organisations must apply for a licence to construct or operate a natural gas facility or pipeline.
N.B. A licence may be revoked at any time.
Licence conditions
The Irish Gas Board may impose conditions on licences.
Conditions include:
- the requirement to comply with specific codes and safety standards;
- taking action to ensure the safety of operators; and
- taking action to prevent injury, fire and explosion.
It is an offence for organisations to fail to comply with a condition specified in a licence.
Enforcement
Authorised officers* may:
- enter and inspect natural gas facilities and pipelines;
- inspect, repair, maintain or replace pipelines and equipment;
- inspect and take copies of records and documents;
- take samples; and
- take photographs and recordings.
*An authorised officer is any person appointed by the Irish Gas Board for the purpose of enforcing this Act.
Notices
Enforcement notices may be issued to non-compliant organisations. These may require an organisation to:
- provide information;
- carry out a specified activity; or
- cease carrying out a specified activity.
It is an offence to fail to comply with a notice.
N.B. The Minister for Transport and Power may recover the costs of investigation and enforcement from non-compliant organisations.
Powers and duties of the Irish Gas Board (BGÉ) are repealed, including requirements relating to:
- capital stock and commitments;
- subscriptions and gifts;
- disclosures;
- membership of either House of the Oireachtas; and
- annual reports.
This update has no relevance to occupational health and safety matters, there are no changes to duties for other organisations.
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