Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995

Power to order investigation into accident or incident involving energy infrastructure.

12.—(1) Subject to section 13 , the Minister may cause to be carried out by a person whom the Minister considers appropriate for the purpose an investigation into the causes of and circumstances surrounding any accident or incident involving an energy infrastructure.

(2) A person carrying out an investigation under this section who is not an authorised officer appointed under section 10 shall, for the purposes of the investigation, have the powers of an authorised officer specified in subsection (3) of section 10 , and subsections (9) and (10) of that section shall apply as respects the exercise of those powers by that person as they apply as respects the exercise of them by an authorised officer; subsection (11) of that section shall apply for the purposes of the said subsection (10) as applied by this section.

(3) As soon as may be after the completion by a person of an investigation under this section the person shall prepare a report in writing in relation to the investigation and shall furnish the report to the Minister.

(4) The Minister may cause a report as aforesaid to be published in such manner as he or she thinks fit.

(5) The Minister may pay such fees and expenses as may be determined by him or her to a person (other than an officer of the Minister) in respect of the carrying out and preparation by the person of an investigation and report under this section.