Paul Murphy demands enforceable ventilation standards for workplaces
Paul Murphy called for enforceable ventilation standards for workplaces, schools, universities and hospitality during a July 6, 2021 speech. He argued that voluntary guidelines are insufficient and urged the introduction of CO2 monitoring, legal standards, enforcement and investment.
Main demand
Paul Murphy asked whether the Coordination Committee had discussed ventilation and reminded members that he raised the issue in Leaders' Questions last September. He said he and People Before Profit have consistently pushed for serious effort on workplace ventilation to help combat COVID.
Concerns about current approach
He warned there are only voluntary guidelines and protocols and highlighted the absence of systematic monitoring, enforcement and investment. He stressed ventilation matters across sectors - indoor dining and hospitality, schools, universities and offices - because COVID is airborne and outside settings are much safer.
CO2 monitors and safety thresholds
Murphy called for CO2 monitors in all workplaces and for a defined CO2 level that would indicate when it is unsafe for people to be working in a space. He directly asked the Tanaiste to act to ensure legally enforceable ventilation standards and the investment required to implement them.
Official response on schools
In response, the Tanaiste noted that guidelines and reports have been published and said CO2 monitors are being put into schools across the board. He said that move followed a working group recommendation and that implementation is taking place.
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Thanks, Cian Corral. I want to ask whether the Coordination Committee has discussed the issue of ventilation. Last September, in Leaders' Questions, I said, quote, it was one crucial immediate issue is that of ventilation, end quote. Since then, I and People Before Profit have consistently been pushing for serious energy and effort to be given to ventilation in workplaces to help combat COVID. We're 10 months on. Last week, when I questioned the Tanaiste in our committee, he admitted there is still no legally enforceable standards for ventilation. There's voluntary guidelines, there's protocols, but there's no systematic monitoring, no enforcement, and no investment. It's not just about indoor dining and hospitality. We're also talking about our schools, our universities, and our offices. T-Shock, ventilation is a crucial part of any safe reopening. We're talking about an airborne virus. It's why being outside is so much safer than being inside. We should have CO2 monitors in all of our workplaces, and we should have a level of CO2 which says, above this level, it isn't safe for people to be working there. Will you take action now, T-Shock, almost a year and a half into the pandemic, to ensure that there is proper, enforceable ventilation standards for all workforces, and put in the investment to make it happen? In terms of ventilation, again, there are guidelines and reports that have been published. The CO2 monitors are being put into schools across the board, and that came out of a working group that recommended that they would be put into our schools, and that is happening. Thank you very much.
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