asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of deaths due to electrocution resulting from the climbing of poles and coming in contact with wires of the recently opened Shannon Loop and the dates on which they occurred; if he has in contemplation the fixing or spiking of structures carrying overhead live wires to prevent such occurrences, and if he is aware that under Section 79 (3) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, Public Bodies or Local Authorities have no power to make regulations to force the Electricity Supply Board to secure the safety of the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deaths from Electrocution.
Two deaths have occurred by electrocution of persons who climbed the poles on Loop IV., which is at present in operation. The first accident occurred on the 9th May, 1929, and the second on the 19th May. The spiking or otherwise fixing structures to prevent unauthorised persons climbing the poles would involve an altogether unjustifiable expense. Such devices have been tried in the past by other countries, but by general consent have been abandoned as costly, ineffective, and obstructive to repair and maintenance work. I do not consider there is any necessity for the Saorstát to depart from what is now the general international practice in this matter. No person can climb any pole without first having seen a clear warning on an enamel plate fixed to the pole that he is endangering his life. I am aware of the provisions of Section 79, sub-section (3) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, and that a final judgment as to regulations intended for the public safety was designedly left with the Electricity Supply Board, and not with local authorities.
In connection with the reply given by the Minister, which is fairly exhaustive, there is one point to which he has not given attention, namely, the age of the persons who met their death by electrocution. The Minister is aware that the notice reads something like this: "To climb this pole is dangerous. Anybody doing so will be prosecuted." The reason I ask the question is that children might not understand the danger of climbing these poles, and the terms of such a warning. The section of the Act prohibits anybody or any authority from interfering with the work of the Board, and insists on certain means of protection preventing such occurrences. I would like to hear from the Minister whether he would consider the advisability of having some means by which deaths caused through the Shannon scheme would be minimised, if not done away with altogether.
The Deputy has founded a statement purporting to be a question on a wrong assumption. There have been no children killed.
How old were the people killed?
They certainly were not children.
How old were they?
I cannot say. They were of sufficient age to understand the warning. One of them was warned twice by a young lady in the house opposite the pole, that his life would be in danger if he climbed the pole. Climbing it in these circumstances, would be sheer bravado. I am not acquainted with the details in the second case, but there is no question of a child involved. The arrangements we have made are those ordinarily adopted with regard to these things, and I think they will be found adequate. I got recently a letter from some people who advised that we should put spikes on the poles. In contradistinction to that, I got information as to the difficulty and cost of fixing these spikes, and the fact that they are ineffective. They seem to offer even a greater incentive to a particular type of youth to get over the spiking. If the Deputy casts his mind back to the time when railways were first started, he will remember that people advocated that a wall should be put up twelve feet high all along the railway to prevent people thrusting themselves in front of the train. The same situation will arise in regard to electricity poles, and the people will get used to them.
I hope that the Minister will appreciate what prompted me to ask the question. There is only one loop opened up yet, and there have been two deaths on that. When the other loops are opened there may be more deaths if some precautions are not taken. I hope the Minister will give consideration to this matter, particularly as the responsibility lies on him, and, through him, on the Board and nobody else.
I have no responsibility in the matter. If the House insists on certain things being done and meets the cost, certain obligations may be imposed on the Electricity Board. At the moment, the Electricity Board have full control, and at the moment, as I am advised, there is no necessity for any further arrangements to prevent people climbing these poles.
Has the Minister any information as to whether these notices are placed too high to be read?
Anybody who is going to climb the poles will get within reading distance.
There is no use in talking like that, as there are people who will climb in any event.