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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Fire Brigade's Expenses.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether the Dublin Fire Brigade, when called to a building on fire in the country, are required, before starting, to obtain an undertaking that their expenses will be defrayed; whether this procedure has led to a considerable delay in dealing with a recent outbreak; and whether this practice prevails in other centres in Eire where the fire brigade are asked to go outside their own area.

The Fire Brigade Act, 1940, contains provisions for the making of agreements between sanitary authorities for fire brigade services and for preparing a scale of fees to be charged and paid for services rendered by a fire brigade outside its district. The arrangements referred to in the first part of the question would therefore not be strictly in keeping with the provisions of the Act, and I am making further inquiries in the matter. No complaint has been received in my Department in regard to undue delay in connection with a recent outbreak of fire in County Dublin, and I would be obliged if the Deputy would send me particulars of the case he refers to.

I am referring to the fact that, before the Fire Brigade can leave their own district for the county, a certain amount of bargaining, which takes time, has to take place. I suggest that that is a most undesirable state of affairs, which ought to be ended at the earliest possible moment.

That would not appear to be in accordance with the Act, which provides for the drawing up of agreements and setting out of scales of charges. Long before a fire, of course, these scales of charges ought to be drawn up and in operation.

Apparently power was taken three years ago in respect of the making of agreements, but the agreements have never materialised. Are we looking for a broker to introduce the county to the city?

It is a matter for the sanitary authorities.

The sanitary authority assumes liability only if it cannot find anybody else. Is that not the position?

No. Under the Act, it is the duty of the sanitary authority to put the Act into operation and to enter into agreements with outside sanitary authorities to draw up scales of charges.

Then it is the sanitary authority of the county which is at fault?

I am not prepared to say whether it is the sanitary authority of the city or the sanitary authority of the county which is at fault, nor am I prepared to say whether one or the other is at fault. I am merely telling the Deputy the provisions of the law. It is a matter for the sanitary authority to operate those provisions.

If the controversy has lasted for three years; does it not look like a case of Jimmy Thin and Johnny Stout?

I am not aware that there is any controversy.

Is it not the duty of the Department to see that the sanitary authority carries out the law?

That is another question. The Department would have a very big job in that respect.

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