asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state whether a fire occurred in Áras Mhic Dhiarmada on the night of the 23rd-24th March, 1954; and, if so, if he will state the amount of damage caused to departmental property so far as at present ascertained; if he is aware of the cause of the fire and of the damage and what period elapsed between the outbreak of fire and the appropriate steps being taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire at Aras Mhic Dhiarmada.
As already reported in the Press at the time a minor fire. which was confined to the scorching of a ceiling panel about two feet square, occurred at Áras Mhic Dhiarmada on the night of the 23rd-24th March, 1954. Negligible damage was caused to departmental property by fire, but some consequential damage was caused by water, and as this matter is at present under investigation by officers of my Department and the insurance assessors, I am not in a position to give the required information. The amount, however, will not be great. I am aware of the cause of the fire and of the damage caused. No period elapsed between the outbreak and the taking of appropriate steps to quell it as the sprinkler system which is installed in the building functioned automatically. I am satisfied that the arrangements for fire prevention in the building are quite adequate.