David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and compliment my colleague, Senator Quinn, on his initiative in bringing forward this Bill. I also refer to the presence in the Visitors Gallery of a very old friend of mine and a very distinguished artist, the singer, Honor Heffernan, whom I heard on radio the other day describe with great dignity and sadness the tragedy that occurred in her family when her mother and sister were killed as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Senator Quinn has addressed a very important point if a life can be saved. My Jewish friends say that he who saves one life has saved an entire universe. Bringing attention to this problematic situation could certainly save lives, although perhaps not an enormous number of lives, but every life is very important. I understand reference was made to a situation in Northern Ireland which was very tragic. I also recall a situation in, I think, Cork where two young men, two friends, off on a jaunt from school died as a result of a faulty appliance. I would like to think hotels would be included in this legislation if they are not already.

This shows the value of Seanad Éireann. I remember saying during the debate on it that what we would have to do would be to kill the Government with kindness. As there are so many Bills on the Order Paper, we should move them and send them to the Dáil because no legislation is coming to this House from the Dáil. I have introduced a small amount of legislation but Senator Quinn has become an absolute mill for legislation and it is quite wonderful. He has addressed very important subjects. I am sure he would approve of me saying that, like myself with Miriam, he has had great assistance from his personal assistant, Anne, and has been lucky enough to use another person, who is in the Visitors Gallery, his solicitor, Dr. Brian Hunt, who has helped him in the preparation of this Bill, although the initiative has come from Senator Quinn and we must give him compliments for this.

I very much appreciate the fact the Government, through the Minister, has indicated that it will allow the Bill to go to Committee Stage. However, the Government has yet to address a previous Bill on medical insurance, which was also very important. It was introduced from the Government benches by Senator Colm Burke. There were small elements of it which were not quite right and the Government could easily have amended it and let it go through. I do not know why it did not at that Stage. I hope Senator Burke will reintroduce this Bill. However, on this occasion, Senator Quinn's Bill, which the Government feels has certain technical defects, will be appropriately amended by the Government on Committee Stage. That gives me hope it will go through to the end.

Returning to the substance of the Bill, what we are dealing with here is something quite insidious which is actually worse than gas because, since the beginning of the provision of urban gas, gas companies have taken care to add distinctive odours to gas, precisely to alert people to the existence of a gas leak. We all know what the smell of gas is like and that we have to telephone a certain number which is posted on the gas appliances, whether central heating boilers or gas cookers, in our homes.

The problem with carbon monoxide is that it is a particularly insidious gas because it has no detectable odour. For this reason, it is very difficult to detect. It can creep around the house without making any great inroads onto the consciousness of the people. I agree with Senator Hayden that we need to include rented premises in this provision as well.

The Minister indicated that the question of expense also needs to be considered in this context. I am not sure what the possible cost of this might be. Perhaps Senator Quinn can give us that information in his riposte or response. I should not say "riposte" because I do not think he is capable of a riposte. He is far too gentlemanly for that. The Senator might have given us these details already, although I do not think so. I have smoke detectors in my house. They are actually very cheap. The batteries need to be replaced every so often. I assume the cost of carbon monoxide alarms is quite similar, so it is not prohibitive for them to be installed after the event. One will not need to dig up the whole heating system or take out the gas cooker. I presume they can be planted or stuck onto the ceiling. I am sure they are commercially available. Perhaps Senator Quinn will be kind enough to let the House know about this.

The legislation before the House sets out a wide range of circumstances in which carbon monoxide monitors will be necessary. For example, it will not be possible for a house to be sold without a certification of this kind. The provision regarding newly-built homes is the easiest of the lot because it simply means that the installation of a monitor will become part of the builder's check list. The Bill also provides that there should a carbon monoxide alarm in each room which contains an open fire, stove or boiler. That will apply to just one room in most modern houses. I am a little unlucky in the sense that I have open fires in every room in my house. I like them. I was surprised to hear on the same programme on which Ms Heffernan spoke that people have had their health seriously affected by the burning of a candle. That is quite extraordinary. It shows the sensitivity of the human animal to this particularly noxious gas.

Once again, I welcome in the presence in the Gallery of our friends. I would like to make a particular reference to the dignity and grace displayed by Ms Heffernan, who has been instrumental in highlighting this issue. I compliment my colleague, Senator Quinn, for pursuing this important matter. I understand his proposal has been seconded by Senator Barrett. I hope the Government will allow this Bill to go through speedily.