Legislation transfers responsibility to the Commission for Energy Regulation and will set Ireland’s safety standard

Dublin, 28th January 2010

The Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 confers responsibility on the Commission for Energy Regulation for the regulatory function for the safety of oil and gas infrastructure in Ireland. It also sets the framework for the development and implementation of a risk-based safety assessment for upstream petroleum activities and associated infrastructure.

The legislation provides for the establishment of a Safety Framework which will cover the construction, operation, maintenance, modification and decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure.

Oil and gas extraction and production should be aligned with the national interest. There are a number of ongoing projects, including the Corrib gas pipeline and the Shannon LNG project. These are demonstrably in the national interest.

“First and foremost, we have to deliver these projects safely. The Government’s primary responsibility is to the safety of our citizens. This Bill confers the responsibility for that safety onto the right body and tasks it with setting up the right regulatory framework in law.”

ENDS