1. A touch switch apparatus for generating a control signal on an output line, the apparatus comprising: a touch pad; a control circuit in close proximity to said touch pad; said control circuit being electrically coupled to said touch pad; said control circuit having an input node for receiving an input signal from a remote signal source; said touch pad being configured to receive a field generation signal; wherein said field generation signal causes an electric field to be generated about said touch pad; said control circuit being responsive to a stimulus affecting said electric field; said control circuit being configured to selectively generate a control signal in response to said stimulus affecting said electric field; and said control circuit having an output node for transmitting said control signal on said output line to a remote device.