Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to encourage and promote the introduction of a device (details supplied) into every household. [7763/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to warn people of the dangers of carbon monoxide. [7764/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

Carbon monoxide gas, which arises when fuel fails to combust properly due to an inadequate supply of air, can cause health risks, illness or death to persons exposed to it for prolonged periods. The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning can arise in a variety of domestic, workplace and public settings and I understand that a number of Departments and agencies have arrangements in place for dealing with their responsibilities in relation to carbon monoxide. For instance, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Commission for Energy Regulation are both required under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002 to have regard to the need to promote safety and efficiency on the part of natural gas undertakings; the Health and Safety Authority promotes awareness and regulates the risks of carbon monoxide in the workplace; the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive have specific responsibilities in relation to health promotion and environmental health; the Environmental Protection Agency monitors the level of atmospheric pollutants, including carbon monoxide; and the Central Statistics Office publishes statistics relating to incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning.

I have recently asked my Department, as part of a review of Part J — Heat Producing Appliances — of the Building Regulations and the associated Technical Guidance Document (TGD J), to consider whether, and in what circumstances, mandatory provision for carbon monoxide alarms might be appropriately included in the building code. Part J of the Building Regulations sets out the minimum legal standards of safety and quality in relation to the installation of heat producing appliances in new buildings and in relation to the replacement of heat producing appliances in existing buildings; TGD J outlines the technical requirements that should be followed to fulfil this statutory obligation. The review of Part J will be the subject of a full public consultation process.