Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, to the House. It seems he decided to come without his officials. I like to see a man working alone and able to handle these matters on his own. The Bill I am bringing forward today deals with an important issue and its proposals have the potential to save lives. How many lives is difficult to quantify, as I will explain presently.

Carbon monoxide gas is produced by the burning of fuel in fires and boilers, which many of us have in our homes. It is a highly poisonous gas and the danger it poses is exacerbated by the fact that we can neither see nor smell it. We have no way of knowing when it is present. When inhaled, the carbon monoxide combines with the blood in such a way as to prevent the body from absorbing oxygen and, from that point on, can have a devastating effect on our body's functioning. People with mild symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning usually make a full recovery. However, anybody who suffers serious carbon monoxide poisoning short of death can be left with long-term health problems. Given that its symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and vertigo, can often be attributed to other causes, poisoning by carbon monoxide is probably one of the most under-diagnosed illnesses, which means the problem is more widespread than we can readily identify. We are not sure precisely how many deaths take place in Ireland each year, with figures ranging from a handful to as many as 40.

Death and sickness caused by carbon monoxide poisoning can be avoided if people install carbon monoxide alarms in their homes. There is a great deal of confusion in this regard, with many people under the mistaken impression that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are the same. The Bill requires certain homes to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in each room that contains an open fire, stove,or boiler; inside each bedroom or within 5 m of the bedroom door; and in each bedroom in which a flue passes within or over. Introducing a requirement for new homes that are built from this point forward makes perfect sense and is easy to achieve. More challenging, however, is the task of ensuring that existing homes are retrofitted with carbon monoxide alarms. Rather than introduce a blanket requirement on all existing homes to be fitted with such alarms, the Bill proposes that the requirement on existing homes to install an alarm will be triggered only by certain events, such as where a home is put on the market for sale or rent or where a new or a replacement open fire, stove, or boiler is installed. I am proposing that these requirements come into effect on 1 January 2015.

The Bill envisages that the obligation to install carbon monoxide alarms will also come into play where an existing open fire, stove, or boiler in a home is repaired or serviced. However, I have made it clear that this obligation will not come into force in January 2015 but will instead be delayed until the economic climate improves. The case for such a delay is quite compelling. A survey conducted last year found that while almost three out of four people are aware of the importance of having their boiler or stove serviced regularly, for almost six out of ten people the cost of such a service is a prohibiting factor. If there are issues of affordability around boiler servicing, we must avoid introducing a measure which might make people even more reluctant to have their appliance serviced. After all, servicing an appliance is one of the best ways to ensure carbon monoxide does not leak from it. What I envisage is that the commencement of this particular provision would take place when people are better off and can afford both to service their appliance and install the required number of carbon monoxide alarms.

In all cases, home owners will be required to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the legislation by producing a certificate. The certificate can be provided by an engineer, architect, registered gas installer or registered electrical contractor.

I am not one of those who believes that legislation is the answer to every problem in society. Wherever possible, alternatives to legislation should be considered before statutory obligations are imposed on people. As regards this matter, however, the alternatives to legislation have been tried and they have failed to provide a solution. Year after year, deaths from carbon monoxide are reported in the media and families of victims appeal for people to wise up to the dangers of carbon monoxide. Those calls are invariably echoed by coroners who call on society to install carbon monoxide alarms. While many have acted on these pleas, many have chosen to ignore them. In the face of recurring, needless and avoidable deaths, it is now time for us as legislators to provide a reasonable and workable solution which obliges people to take steps to protect themselves.

The provisions of this Bill will apply to new buildings, although the word used in the legislation is "dwellings". It also applies if someone is going sell or let their home - in other words, if it changes hands.

I commend this legislation to the House. I hope the Minister will support it and help to have it enacted without delay. The measure is a worthy and worthwhile one.

I welcome to the Visitors' Gallery, Ms Honor Heffernan, the well-known jazz singer. Ten years ago, her mother and sister were both killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a reminder of the seriousness of this matter. There have been many other cases and I will get a chance to mention them later. I urge the Minister to accept this Bill and ensure it becomes law. I believe it will save lives.