Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Not only is a life worth €25 but, as Senator Barrett has pointed out to me, a value of more than €1 million is attached to each person's life in transport project evaluations. We do not know how many deaths of this nature take place. It is hard to tell because carbon monoxide is a silent killer. The figure of 73 fatalities mentioned by the Minister suggests that the investment needed in this respect would be worth €73 million on the basis that one life is worth €1 million. I know it is very hard to place a value on a life. I emphasise the need to get this done as speedily as possible.

As Senator Norris mentioned, I have introduced many Bills over the years. A number of them have been put on the long finger.

I was told more research was needed in respect of the organ donation Bill; the food provenance Bill; the employment permits (amendment) Bill, which has been delayed for quite some time; and the public health (availability of defibrillators) Bill. These are just some Bills that have been delayed. There is a need to get them through. The Construction Contracts Bill became law but it took a lot longer than I expected.

Senator Cullinane mentioned a number of other jurisdictions that have introduced legislation such as this. Scotland recently introduced legislation and 24 states in the US have introduced similar legislation. In recent years, there have been a succession of needless and avoidable deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Earlier this year, Kevin Lucey died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Miriam Reidy died from carbon monoxide poisoning in January 2011. Trevor Wallwork, his daughter Kimberley and son Harry were found dead in the sitting room of their home in County Sligo in December 2011. Two young men in Northern Ireland also died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and a family was very fortunately saved in another incident in county Cork a few months ago.

I appreciate all those involved in this Bill. In particular, I appreciate what the Minister has done in saying that he wishes to accept this Bill and improve it. A friend of mine called Jack Kavanagh brought the issue of carbon monoxide to my attention. Dr. Brian Hunt wrote the Bill for me. We negotiated over a number of aspects. Ann Crotty from the National Standards Authority of Ireland and Patrick Fleming, chief fire officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, read the Bill and gave me excellent advice which I appreciate. I believe this is an example of how this Seanad can work.

This legislation will save lives but the one thing I ask the Minister to do is to make sure we do not delay. I know he does not intend that to happen and I know it is not easy to get things to move as quickly as we would like but with his enthusiasm and commitment and the effort he puts into almost everything he does, I am sure he is going to make it work. I look forward to seeing the Bill back in the House at a very early date for Committee Stage and I look forward to the improvements that have been mentioned by various Senators and it becoming law later this year.