asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that Loughnane's garage, Killarney, was destroyed by fire on March 11th, 1946; if he is in a position to state what steps had previously been taken by the local authority to train and equip a fire brigade; and, further, why that unit failed to deal with the fire in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire-Fighting Equipment in Killarney.
Beyond what I have read in the local Press I have no information in regard to the fire referred to by the Deputy but I have asked for a report and shall communicate further with him.
The Killarney Fire Brigade consists of a chief officer who has custody of the equipment, two engineers and three firemen, all, with one exception, members of the council's staff. I was informed in 1944 that there are monthly drills with full test of equipment and special reports are made on water pressure, hydrants, etc., on each occasion. Defects found in house fittings are referred to the owner of the property for attention. The equipment consists of a trailer pump, a fire escape, hose, standpipes, branch pipes, etc. In addition, an A.R.P. pump placed in the town by the Department of Defence is available for use by the local authority.
The Fire Brigades Act, 1940, imposes on all sanitary authorities the obligation of making reasonable provision for the prompt and efficient extinguishing of fires occurring within their sanitary district.
Section 5 of the Act makes provision for intervention by me if a complaint is received in writing alleging that a sanitary authority has failed to make reasonable fire-fighting provision in accordance with the Act. No such complaint has been received in regard to the Killarney Urban District Council.