asked the Minister for Local Government whether his Department have any plans to patrol Spencer Docks, Dublin, where there have been swimming fatalities involving children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dock Fatalities.
12.
The answer is in the negative. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question in this matter on 28th February last.
Is the Minister aware that since he replied to this question previously a child has been drowned in Spencer Dock? At that stage the Minister did not propose to take any action in regard to this matter. Does he not think the position has changed now?
The Department of Local Government could not be expected to undertake work like this.
Who should undertake this? A child was drowned there recently. Does the Minister consider that if in six months this figure has mounted to two or three, nothing should be done?
As I told the Deputy on the last occasion, Sheriff Street Bridge at Spencer Dock is maintained by Dublin Corporation and the bridge at the North Wall by Dublin Port and Docks Board. The provision of protective barriers on the two bridges, if required in the interests of safety, would be a matter for Dublin Corporation or Dublin Port and Docks Board, as the case may be.
Surely the Minister is aware that one child has already been drowned. If this warm weather continues, two or three more children are likely to be drowned. Before this happens, would he not consider taking some steps to avoid such fatalities?
I have been in touch with both the Corporation and the Port and Docks Board in the matter. The Port and Docks Board engineer is satisfied that the parapet already in existence affords reasonable protection. The Corporation state that the City Engineer does not consider any more effective action can be taken.