asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has yet given consideration to the report dated 7th November 1927, of his chief surveyor upon a boiler explosion at Dunleer on 13th October, 1927, which resulted in two deaths, and whether, in view of the chief surveyor's comments on this case, his reference to the number of boilers in the country in a dangerous condition, and his statement as to the necessity of taking action against this public danger, the Minister proposes to take any action in the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DANGEROUS BOILERS.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
Steps are being taken to give the Report as wide publicity as possible. A summary of the Report has been published in the "Irish Trade Journal" and printed copies of the Report are on sale at Messrs. Eason & Son, 40 and 41, Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, price twopence. The assistance of the Gárda Síochána and the County Instructors in Agriculture is being enlisted with a view to reaching, if possible, all owners and users of agricultural steam engines and tractors in the country and bringing home to them the importance of having their boilers regularly inspected. The responsibility rests entirely with the owners but there should be no difficulty in arranging for the necessary inspection through any insurance company which undertakes this class of business.
Is the Minister not prepared, in view of the grave danger to life caused by these engines, to take any further action than he has outlined?
I am not allowed to take any further action as under the Boiler Explosions Act I can only act after an explosion has taken place. I am taking action which is not thrust upon me in trying to get a report of this type given as wide circulation as possible in the hope that it will bring about some improvement.
If the Minister has not the power under the Act, will he not consider introducing further legislation, as there is not very much use in the Minister having an inspection after an explosion has taken place?
There is not a great deal of use in inspecting a lot of boilers, the majority of which are known to be sound, before an explosion takes place.