Gas Safety Bill introduces statutory licensing for piped residential LPG networks
Friday 13 November 2026
Seanad Éireann has debated legislation placing Ireland's gas safety framework on a statutory footing, introducing licensing for small piped LPG networks and expanding CRU enforcement powers.
The Seanad has debated legislation establishing a statutory licensing regime for small piped residential LPG networks and expanding regulatory safety oversight.
Introducing the Second Stage of the Gas Safety and Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2026, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, confirmed the Bill amends the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to place the gas safety framework on a formal statutory footing.
Under existing arrangements, gas undertakings are licensed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under rules operating on a non-statutory basis. Following inquiries initiated in 2016 into unlicensed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) networks serving domestic housing, the CRU recommended legislative changes to bring previously unregulated third-party networks into the safety framework.
The proposed legislation creates a class 2 LPG safety licence for operators supplying fewer than ten piped distribution networks for individual domestic customers. This category is structured for smaller operators, requiring lower application fees and removing the requirement for a resource-intensive safety case while mandating adherence to CRU safety regulations.
Key provisions within the Bill also include:
- **Expanded definitions:** Broadening natural gas and LPG incident definitions to capture near-miss or precursor events.
- **Officer entry powers:** Strengthening the powers of gas safety officers and gas emergency officers, including provisions to obtain warrants for entry into land and dwellings.
- **Scheme funding:** Enabling the CRU to fund the safe electricity scheme and registered gas installer scheme via annual industry levies, with no additional cost to the Exchequer.
- **Bord na Móna borrowing:** Amending the Turf Development Act 1998 to raise the statutory borrowing limit for Bord na Móna in line with organisational requirements.
The Bill previously passed Dáil Éireann on 27 May before moving to the Seanad for consideration.