asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if he will state the reason for the delay in sanctioning the proposals of the Dublin Corporation for the improvement of the fire-fighting services of the city during emergency and peace times.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Fighting Services in Dublin.
Mr. Byrne
I understand that no recent proposals for the improvement of the Dublin fire-fighting services in peace time have been submitted by the Dublin Corporation.
As regards emergency provision, a scheme for an auxiliary fire service submitted by the Dublin Corporation in accordance with the Air Raid Precautions Act was approved a considerable time ago. This scheme included the setting up of 13 auxiliary fire stations, 34 sub-stations and 94 fire posts. The Department of Defence has supplied pumps, hose, hand appliances and other equipment for these stations and posts. The personnel required is being trained by the corporation.
The corporation have submitted a proposal that the later and more intensive training of the auxiliary service requires experience of actual fire-fighting conditions. This would entail the partial mobilisation of the service on a whole-time and paid basis, and requires careful examination in all its aspects. I am having the matter dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Mr. Byrne
Is it not a fact that the Minister's Department has refused sanction for the manning of outlying stations as suggested by Major Comerford and the A.R.P. authorities, and that the corporation made a recommendation that they should be manned immediately? Is there any reason for the refusal to man these stations as suggested?
Sanction has not been refused by the Department of Defence.
Mr. Byrne
Can I take it from the reply that the Parliamentary Secretary is giving sanction to the manning of these stations as suggested by Major Comerford and others?
The Deputy has suggested that the Department of Defence has refused sanction to the manning of these posts. If he had listened—of course, he did not—he would understand that in the reply I stated: "This would entail the partial mobilisation of the service on a whole-time and paid basis and requires careful examination in all its aspects." The thing must be examined thoroughly before we can consent.
Mr. Byrne
In the meantime, are the stations created for the emergency to wait much longer for the consideration mentioned in the reply? The men are there waiting to man the stations and to assist in the A.R.P. voluntary services. They are a splendid body of men, acting voluntarily, but the corporation cannot put one of their own men into these stations until they get consent from the Department. Will the corporation get that consent?
I cannot answer the Deputy's speech, but he may be assured that we will be ready to handle any emergency that arises in Dublin.