I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive, together.
The funding of the IIRS is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism.
The IIRS, as well as its work on the preparation of suitable Irish standards, already provides some facilities for carrying out standard fire tests on construction products, including, for example, tests on furniture, fabrics and electrical components.
Following a feasibility study by the IIRS on its role in fire safety, discussions took place between officials of my Department, the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism and the IIRS on a range of matters, including the feasibility of establishing a fire testing facility at IIRS which would deal with all but large scale tests. This matter is still under consideration.
There are no Irish standards for fire resisting doorsets and the relevant British standards which are included in the draft building regulations are normally specified. A number of Irish door manufacturers produce fire resistant doors and doorsets which comply with those standards but I am not aware of the total number of such manufacturers.