Committee welcomes moves to Legislate on Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Finance and Personnel today welcomed a decision by the Minister of Finance and Personnel to amend existing Building Regulations to set a requirement for the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Speaking after today’s meeting, Chairperson of the Committee, Daithí McKay MLA said: “The Committee first raised the issue of CO alarms with the Minister of Finance and Personnel in September 2010 following the tragic deaths of two young people in Castlerock last summer. Since then, other tragedies have further highlighted the need for the compulsory installation of these alarms.

“The Committee is encouraged to see that the Minister has listened to its concerns on this matter, and indeed those of the wider Assembly. MLAs believe that this is a vital step which has the potential to save lives in the future.”

“Monitoring the way this decision is implemented will, of course, fall to the incoming Committee for Finance and Personnel. However, I have every confidence that this will be a priority for the new Mandate.”