Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senator Ahearn for their good wishes. I look forward to working with Seanad Éireann as much as possible in my new role. I thank Senator Ahearn for the opportunity to provide an update on the important matter of the review of Irish furniture fire regulations.I thank Senator Ahearn for the opportunity to provide an update on the important matter of the review of Irish furniture fire regulations. My Department undertook public consultation on the current Irish furniture fire regulations in 2019, which was subsequently extended to April 2020 owing to complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of the consultation was to examine the scope of the regulations, their enforceability and the effectiveness of the testing regime.

As the Senator has said, in the area of furniture fire safety, there are no harmonised EU regulations. In Ireland, SI 316/1995 Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1995 and Irish Standard 419:2011 set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, furnishings, and other products that contain upholstery in the interests of fire safety. These are collectively known as the Irish furniture fire regulations.

The Irish standards and regulations were introduced to protect consumers by preventing the rapid spread of a fire started on or near furniture. The regulations specify that use of flame retardants to hinder the spread of fire and furniture must meet the requirements for resistance to cigarettes and match ignition. As the Senator has said, the Irish regulations set out a more robust safety standard that applies in other EU member states in order to provide a high level of safety in this area. The Irish furniture fire regulations have been on the Statute Book for over 25 years, and since then, there have been several developments that may have a bearing on their current suitability, including changes in consumer expectations and in furniture manufacturing practices.

My Department received numerous supplies to the consultation. Due to competing realities including the response to pandemic and work another priority legislation, progress on the assessment of submissions was delayed. Analysis of the submissions has, however, resumed and these replies are now being studied in detail in order to form the basis of recommendations on the future of the Irish furniture fire regulations.

I expect this process to be completed in the near future. I will be more than happy if the Senator wishes arrived to me to have his feedback included in the process. I will happily inform the Senator and the House when I have an update in this regard.