asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Clonmel gas inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Inquiry.
7.
I would remind them that, while I have been keeping in touch with the progress of investigations in this matter and have impressed on the local authority my wish that they be conducted as expeditiously as possible, it is the responsibility of the local authority to deal with any problems arising out of the operation of the town's gas supply. My information is that they have been doing all that is reasonably possible in the matter.
Immediately after the explosion they conducted their own check of cellars and underground spaces in which escaped gas might collect. They commissioned the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to undertake a phased investigation having the following objectives: First, to determine the most likely cause of the explosion of 26th November last. Second, to determine the best practicable means of ensuring that such accidents do not occur in the future. Third, to determine the least-cost solution to providing Clonmel with a gas supply that meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.
The county manager has now received a report on the first phase of these investigations. The report, while dealing with the cause of the November explosion, makes certain interim recommendations pending the detailed report on the second phase of the investigations. I am advised that the county manager is treating this firstphase report as a confidential document and that the borough council accept this, also that the manager has advised the council of the conclusions in the report and the interim recommendations made in it, and of his intention to implement these as quickly as possible. I understand that the borough council have endorsed this.
The manager has just sent me a copy of the report for my confidential information. I can however advise the Deputy of the conclusions and recommendations in the report, as follows:
The central conclusion is that, on the basis of careful consideration of the available evidence, the most probable cause of the explosion was the town gas, and the most likely source of the gas a fractured main in Mitchel Street. The interim report also indicates that the source of ignition of the gas was probably electrical—either a light switch in the basement where the explosion occurred, a lampholder or some faulty wiring there.
The report's interim recommendations are that, pending a detailed examination of the Mitchel Street gas main and an evaluation of the structural condition of the premises in Mitchel Street, gas to that street should be cut off; that there should be regular inspection and proper ventilation of public premises with basements which are serviced by or close to town gas mains, the encouragement of the installation in such premises of gas detectors, and the provision of advice for owners and occupiers of private dwellings, in the same category, on how best to minimise the risk of explosions from town gas.
I am advising the local authority of my continuing wish that everything possible should be done to implement as quickly as possible the decision they have taken to carry out the interim recommendation and, furthermore, my wish that the further stages of the institute's investigations will be completed as quickly as possible. I understand that their report on the second phase of their work is expected later this month. It should provide the corporation with detailed recommendations concerning safety and accident prevention in the distribution and use of town gas in Clonmel.