asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) that the laws relating to fire hazards are seriously antiquated and that the danger of a disaster similar to Woolworth's in Manchester, England exists here; the proposals, if any, to up-date the legislation and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Hazard Laws.
9.
I have seen the report referred to. Firstly, I must point out that the statement in the report, attributed to the Chief Fire Officer concerned, that there is no legislation whatsoever covering fire safety in shops and stores is not correct. In fact, the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1940, enable local authorities to require fire safety precautions to be taken in such premises. While these and other existing enactments contain considerable powers which can be used to promote fire safety measures in buildings, I have already indicated my intention to up-date and strengthen the law as necessary and proposals for amending legislation are at present being prepared in my Department.
I should also mention that experience has shown that legislative controls of themselves provide no guarantee of immunity against fire hazard. There is a need to promote a greater awareness amongst management, workers and the general public of fire hazard and to encourage advancement of education in all aspects of fire prevention. It was for this reason that, in conjunction with fire insurance interests, I recently established the Fire Prevention Council.
Does the Minister agree that, in accordance with the assertion in the article, the cinemas are governed by the Cinematographic Act of 1909 which is completely inadequate and archaic and lays down a condition, amongst other things, that as well as having a damp blanket, two buckets of water and a dry bucket of sand, cinemas should also have a sufficient number of hand grenades for the adequate protection of the premises?
(Interruptions.)
That is an explosive question.
Does the Minister also agree that, while there may be powers given under the Fire Brigades Act for people to inspect, they have not the necessary power to insist on the installation of such things as secondary lighting or even illuminated exits in the event of an outbreak of fire?
First of all, I do not believe that the Deputy meant hand grenades but it sounded like that to me.
It is laid down. It may sound funny but it is in the Act.
With regard to this report it was incorrectly reported in the press. The press report quotes the speaker as saying that there is no legislation whatsoever covering shops and stores. This was referred back to the person concerned, the chief fire officer. It transpired that the press report omitted the word "specific". But in the existing law, the 1940 Act, there is provision for this with regard to stores, shops and so on. As I said in reply to the Deputy's question, at the moment we have the 1940 Act under active review in the Department and we intend to bring in the necessary amendments or legislation to strengthen the existing laws. There is also provision made under the Planning Acts for the insistence of the proper precautions.
Does the Minister agree with the assertion in that article that the only guidelines we have for the prevention of outbreaks of fires in stores are the American or English guidelines and that there are absolutely no guidelines laid down here?
The Minister for Labour also has a role in regard to the inspection of these premises and factories under these Acts and he is also having the question examined in conjuction with my Department.
I would like to point out to Deputies that if they wish to make progress they will have to co-operate. Question Time has gone on now for almost 40 minutes with only nine questions being dealt with. The Chair will be happy if the Minister would not answer more than one supplementary question. There is no point in arguing about the matter. The Chair is the judge of the number of supplementary questions that may be asked. There is no point in arguing about fire hazards unnecessarily on the question. I am not permitting any further questions.
Due to the fact that I am unable to ask questions, I propose, with the permission of the Chair, to raise this on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
We welcome the Act that the Minister is bringing in, but would he comment on whether he will make grants available for the installation of equipment?