Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013
156. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to create a mandatory registration scheme for oil technicians in order to ensure the highest safety standards in guarding against carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9500/13]
View answerI am very conscious of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide gas to people in their homes and at their places of work.
In that regard I was pleased to launch the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 24th September 2012. The Awareness Week saw a sustained, multi-media publicity campaign to alert people to the dangers posed by carbon monoxide and to give them advice as to what they should do to be safe. The issue was widely reported on television, on national and local radio and in both national and local press.
In addition to the Awareness Week, Bord Gáis has pursued a number of sustained media campaigns on the dangers posed by carbon monoxide. Such campaigns have been approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation and reported to the Commission’s Gas Safety Committee, in which my Department participates.
It is also important to note that significant efforts have been made by the gas industry to raise safety standards. The industry has worked with the Commission for Energy Regulation to establish a register of approved gas installers. This has been an important development in improving quality control in gas matters, including reducing the risk posed by carbon monoxide in gas installations.
In respect of the possibility for a mandatory registration scheme for oil technicians I have asked my officials to meet with industry representatives to discuss the matter and I await the outcome of such discussions.
