Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses today. I agree with the Chairman that accountability and responsibility are very important. There are many ways to heat a house now. I live in a rural area and in the old days oil was the main fuel.

Then it increased in price and people brought in solid fuel arrangements. In more recent years, I have seen windmills and heat pumps used. Does the type of system used for central heating matter? Most of the central heating systems heat water in the pipes. I have heard there is more and more emphasis on insulating houses so that we now have warmer houses than we did 20 or 30 years ago. No matter what system is used, it needs some way to trigger heating the water in the pipes. In recent years, I have seen solar panels being used. Is any differentiation made regarding how the water is heated? Is it still the case that if one is unsure about the water, one boils it? We have boil water notices throughout the country regarding various systems. We will not get into the health area today but with regard to putting people's minds at ease, we have been reassured by the witnesses on many issues. Is boiling water one way to deal with the question of disease?