48 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • New Bill to strengthen State’s capacity to manage oil supplies receives Government approval There is no such concern or risk at present. International oil supplies and prices have been steady over recent months. Motorists have seen a fall in prices, for petrol and diesel, at retail forecourts of late. This Bill follows work undertaken by the Department last year, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. From the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting impact on global energy markets, the Government has sought to address the negative impacts of higher energy prices on consumers, society and the economy. In Budget 2023, the Government announced a suite of measures to help people with higher energy prices, while the Energy Poverty Action Plan, published last month, provides further support for people at risk of energy poverty this winter. ‒ The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has today welcomed Cabinet approval to publish the Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuels Functions Bill 2022. The main purpose of this Bill is to strengthen the Government’s ability to manage stocks in the unlikely event of a curtailment of oil supplies. While higher energy pricing overall remains a key concern, there is also an onus on the Government to provide con dence to households and businesses with respect to the security of Ireland’s energy supply. Energy security is enhanced by having in place a multitude of robust emergency plans that seek to mitigate, offset or prevent supply issues emerging. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has been testing emergency plans in recent months with relevant Departments and agencies. Work is ongoing to ensure that plans can be operationalised at speed, if required, however unlikely any such scenario may be. The Government’s approach is in keeping with that of other EU Member States, where emergency preparedness plans have been sharpened in response to the ongoing energy implications of the war in Ukraine. The key measures that are being introduced in the Bill include: • more clarity around the powers of the Minister, and how quickly they can be deployed, to control the supply and distribution of fuel in an emergency; • putting all aspects of oil emergency planning on a statutory footing; • establishing a register of oil suppliers to ensure fast communication to retailers; • allowing Revenue to share data on oil movements to enhance the responsiveness of the State in an emergency. Industry News NSAI announce the launch of a period of public consultation for I.S. 813 - Edition 4 This standard specifies the requirements for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations in permanent domestic dwellings, from the point of delivery up to and including the gas appliance. Drafted by the NSAI/TC 01/SC03 (GTSC TC 2) "Installation and appliances" of the Gas Technical Standards Committee. It is now open for for a period of public consultation until 3rd March 2023. These draft standard documents are made available in order to gather comments from as wide an audience as possible. You will be able to read the full draft clause by clause and leave comments, suggestions about its content and propose changes which we may use in the nal Irish Standard. Your Standards, Your Say. Just go to the link below. You will be asked to login or register. https://www.nsainep.ie/Home/Details/26141
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