asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that premises licensed as clubs in which dancing takes place in Dublin city conform to adequate standards of safety in the event of fire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Safety Precautions.
21.
I am satisfied that existing legislative provisions confer adequate powers on the Dublin Corporation to exercise control in relation to any fire danger in the premises mentioned by the Deputy and that the corporation are taking all reasonable steps to ensure conformity with these provisions.
Would the Minister state if there has been any recent inspection of such premises or if there is any report available or how recently a report was made?
Inspections are carried out on a continuing basis.
When was the last inspection made?
I have not got that information here.
The Minister does not know.
The Deputy may be interested to know that, following an inspection, a court case was held in March, 1972 and, in fact, a conviction was secured against the owner of a private club for non-compliance with the fire precautions notice.
Is the Minister aware that new clubs are continuing to spring up at regular intervals and that, therefore, they would need to be examined practically weekly?
I have been in touch with Dublin Corporation about this matter before and special meetings were held between officials of my Department and officials of Dublin Corporation about this whole question and steps have been taken and many premises were visited. The conviction which I have mentioned arose out of these investigations. This is a matter in which I have shown some concern.
The Minister does not know when the last inspection was carried out?
The investigations are proceeding all the time.
How regularly? The Minister does not know.
If the Deputy requires precise information he should put down a question or he could ask the corporation, which would be more appropriate.
(Cavan): May I ask the Minister, in view of the fact that he has raised the question of a prosecution, if the defects in the premises the subject of the prosecution have been remedied and made good?
Sin ceist eile.
(Cavan): Sin ceist mhór.
It is, yes, but the Deputy is going into detail which I do not have in regard to that particular case at this time.
(Cavan): The Minister introduced the question of a prosecution and I presumed he knew something about it.
The Minister was being helpful in mentioning that a conviction had, in fact, taken place only recently.