Ms Orla Hegarty:

My concern is that there is confusion. What I have spoken about here is hepa filtration - a very basic fan and filter that people can run very safely just drawing the air through it while they are in a room, be it a crèche or bedroom. This is advisable everywhere and could be a good solution for many buildings and businesses. Other systems are available. There are very specialist systems to do with UV light, which may have some specialist installations and are sometimes used in hospitals and other specialist locations, that may have applications in other buildings here but require specialist independent advice and installation. There are other systems on sale in Ireland that use light, ionisation and other systems that have not been regulated for this purpose and may not be effective. Some systems produce by-products like ozone, which is damaging to the lungs. People are selling systems that do this. They are also selling systems that operate when the room is empty, which is of limited use.

If you are going to bring people into a restaurant for the evening, for example, using these systems before people arrive is of very limited benefit. Airing the place well before people arrive and having filtration around the room would be very effective and safe. Using some kind of other system may be an expensive option and may not be effective. It is important that advice coming from the Government be very clear so that people who are struggling in their businesses and well intended are given good advice.