asked the Minister for Energy if he is concerned at the number of fatalities in the Inner Dublin area resulting from gas leaks in decaying mains under the public footpaths; and the action he intends to request the Dublin Gas Company to take to alleviate further risk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inner Dublin Gas Fatalities.
15.
The responsibility for ensuring that gas mains in Dublin are in a safe condition lies with the Dublin Gas Company itself.
I am assured by Dublin Gas Company that the company's mains have been independently assessed and found to be up to international standards. My Department keep in close contact with Dublin Gas on the safety aspects of its operations. A number of measures have been taken by the company to ensure the safety of the public. These include increased leak surveying, improved leak control and maintenance procedures and a large reduction in the toxic carbon monoxide content of the gas.
In addition to the above it is proposed to phase out the production of town gas over the next four years or so and to replace it with natural gas which is not toxic.
The Gas Technical Standards Committee was set up at the request of my Department in 1982 under the aegis of the IIRS. It includes representatives of the gas companies, Bord Gáis Éireann and the Department. Its purpose is to draw up safety standards for the gas industry, including gas installations and domestic appliances. To date a number of standards have been formulated in relation to various domestic gas appliances and standards are in course of preparation in regard to service pipes, mains and fittings. In addition codes of practice are being drawn up concerning domestic and non-domestic installations, and gas fires.
Is the Minister aware that in the last four years in the Dublin centre city area at least eight people have died because of gas leaks in the mains outside their homes, not inside? In many of those cases there was not a gas supply in the homes involved. At least 12 others barely escaped death. In view of that, is the Minister not concerned about the consistency of the fatalities? There were further fatalities this winter, apparently because of corroding mains in public footpaths. If that is the case, would the Minister not accept some responsibility, such as impressing on the Gas Company the urgency of renewing the mains, many of which, I understand, have not been renewed since the last century?
I am aware of the number of fatalities in the last number of years, but I believe the new procedures being taken by the company will eliminate the fears expressed by the Deputy. Increased leak surveying will improve leak control and maintenance, and this will be beneficial to the company and in the interest of public safety.
Can the Minister give specific information about the plans of the company to renew their mains? I am not clear about what information he has received from the company. Can he say if they have a time scale for the programme to renew their mains? Can he say what that time scale is?
The measures which the company have adopted are based on consultants' recommendations. The measures are: a systematic survey of mains and services on a continuing basis, a 24-hour emergency service for a fast response to any reported escape, planned mains and service renewal programmes in accordance with internationally adopted criteria, and during the period of reforming natural gas, a reduction in the carbon monoxide content of the gas. There will be continued use of odorants in the gas supply to maximise public awareness in the event of leaks.
Can the Minister tell us what progress has been made in the development and conversion plans of the company? Conversion and development would relate to the mains, which are in poor repair at the moment.
The question seems to be about leaks.
Leaks happen in bad mains. If the mains were converted they would be good mains and there would not be leaks. What progress has been made, if any, to date?
To the best of my knowledge there will not be any delay in relation to the expansion of natural gas supplies. I understand that in a matter of weeks the Gas Company will be holding an extraordinary general meeting to adopt memoranda and articles of association and to get on with the development programme. I do not foresee any delays.
Is the Minister aware that already there has been a delay of more than a year? Can he say with confidence, now that Deputy Cluskey has left him, that the matter will be concluded finally and implemented within a matter of weeks?
We cannot have a discussion on gas conversion on this question.
I am continuously concerned because what the Minister has just said in his reply is the same as has been said each year when there have been fatalities from gas leaks. The Gas Company have made the same statement as we have just heard from the Minister. Would the Minister impress on the Gas Company, at least, the urgency of circularising householders who are in close proximity to gas mains so that they will be aware of the high risk involved in sleeping in downstairs front rooms? In all cases of fatalities the people had not got gas in their homes and were therefore unaware of the risk close to their homes. People were sleeping in groundfloor front rooms in close proximity to gas mains without any knowledge of their existance. Consequently, would the Minister impress on the Gas Company the need to make this information available to such householders?
I am not sure that the level of danger or risk is as high as the Deputy imagines. I will undertake to have discussions with the Gas Company