Many gas boilers are being installed by individuals operating outside of the law, a Dáil committee has claimed.

The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, chaired by Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony, has recommended that an independent expert or consultant be appointed to conduct a thorough investigation of the sector.

The committee has also suggested that consideration be given to legislation providing that gas boilers only be sold to registered installers or consumers who provided evidence of having engaged a registered individual.

Mr O’Mahony told the Dáil the committee members had become aware, through representations, that despite regulation, there was evidence of installers operating outside the law. Therefore, the committee formed the view that the matter warranted serious consideration, he added.

Potential for incidents

“Owing to the strong potential for fatal accidents with a fuel as combustible as gas, we became very conscious of the dangers inherent in poor gas installation and servicing,” said Mr O’Mahony.

He said there had been a high-profile tragic death in Kinsale a few years ago, resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning following a gas leak. “I spoke to members of the bereaved family and noted that they wanted to see action in the area,’’ he added.

Mr O’Mahony said the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors Ireland (APHCI) had outlined its growing concerns regarding the industry and believed lives were at risk because of the regulatory system’s failure.

The Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII) policed registered installers but did not flush out the illegal operators, he added.