Vol. 263 No. 13
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a report in regard to a fire which took place in Dublin on the 27th March, 1972, in which eight people died; if he will make a statement in regard to the report; and if he is satisfied that the fullest possible investigation has been carried out in this case.
175.
asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a statement by the Chief Fire Officers' Association to the effect that loss of life from fires was inevitable; and in view of this if he will indicate the steps he proposes taking with regard to the reorganisation and general improvement of the entire fire service so as to avoid loss of life.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my statement issued by the Government Information Bureau on 31st August last following the receipt of the Dublin Corporation chief fire officer's report on the fire. I am satisfied that a thorough investigation has been carried out.
As indicated in my statement this tragedy underlines the importance of the review of certain aspects of the fire service which I have arranged to be carried out by a working party. This review will cover the organisation of the fire service, fire prevention, legislation and financial aspects, and I have arranged that the chief fire officer's report will be brought specially to the attention of the working party.
The Chief Fire Officers' Association will have a representative on the working party and the association, in common with all other interests concerned, will have an opportunity of contributing to the consideration of the need for change in the various aspects of the service coming under review. The findings of the working party will be considered in due course. As an interim measure I have asked sanitary authorities to consider appointing special fire prevention officers and I am making arrangements to provide them with suitable training.
I might add that in terms of fire-fighting capacity and training the fire service has been progressively strengthened in recent years and this process is continuing. I have recently written to all sanitary authorities stressing the importance of making full use of their organisations, and of their existing statutory powers, to reduce fire risk, pending implementation of whatever changes may be decided on in the light of the review by the working party.
176.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange that local authorities be given power to make a charge for fire brigade services at least on the occurrence of a second fire outbreak in the same residence as many calls could be avoided if owners and tenants of all houses took more care and attended regularly to cleaning of chimneys.
This suggestion has been made from time to time and has been considered, but the adoption of it would give rise to practical difficulties. To mention one: the prospect of a charge being made could well lead to a reluctance to call the fire brigade, or to call it in time, which could have serious consequences.
It is open to the working party which I have set up to review aspects of the fire service to consider suggestions such as this.
