Thousands put at risk by illegal gas installations

Up to 100,000 illegal and potentially deadly gas boilers have been installed by ‘cowboy’ operators in family homes over the past five years, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday.

“Some of these have the potential to kill and the market is awash with illegal operators which is driving legitimate operators out of business,” Jimmy Egan, the secretary of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors Ireland (APCHI) told the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee.

Representatives from the association appeared before the committee to outline their concerns at what they say is lack of proper regulation of the industry.