asked the Minister for the Evironment if the various fire authorities throughout the country are made aware of the range of dangerous or potentially dangerous chemicals in use in Irish industry; and whether the fire authorities are adequately equipped and trained for spillages of such materials.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dangerous Chemicals.
6.
All fire authorities were notified by my Department last year of the results of a survey by the Department of Labour of the movement by road of dangerous substances throughout the country. In addition, my Department have circulated to fire authorities a list of industrial activities using dangerous substances which, in case of accident, could present major hazards.
The provision of equipment and training for dealing with spillages of dangerous substances is a matter for each fire authority taking account of the level of risk in their area. My Department provide loans, with 50 per cent subsidy, to fire authorities to purchase necessary equipment. The Fire Services Council supplement training at local level with a broad range of central training courses, many of which are relevant to incidents involving dangerous chemicals.
Would the Minister agree that there has been an increase in volume of such chemical materials being transported? Would he also agree that it would be most important that there be detailed information always available from the transporter, given that such a large area of the country is covered by part time fire crews only, rendering it even more important that there be information available from the transporter in advance?
That is being done. Discussions are continuing with the Federation of Irish Chemical Industries and other interested bodies with a view to providing information and assistance to local authorities. In addition, a working party is being established by my Department and the chemical industry to make the necessary arrangements.
Are there any contingency plans between the various fire authorities in the event of a spillage of this nature taking place?
There is now a computer system being set up — Chemdata Systems — for local authorities, a computer-based information system designed to provide fire authorities with essential, basic information relating to any chemical which may be the cause of fire. It is expected that the system will have been installed very shortly in up to ten local authorities and we are examining and monitoring the progress of this system. That will be of very great help to local authorities when, if a substance goes wrong, they can refer back to the computer. There is a particular card called the Hazcard for use in gaining access to the computer which will give local authorities all of the information available as to the manner in which they should deal with such an occurrence.
Is the Minister aware that there are chemicals being transported across this country that would not be permitted in other European countries? Would the Minister be prepared to give the House an indication that he is satisfied — I am speaking here of dangerous bulk chemicals — that, in the event of an accident occurring, his Department are geared to cope with such an emergency?
The answer to the Deputy's question is yes. A working party is being established between my Department and the chemical industry——
That is not my question.
I know it was not but I am giving the Deputy an answer to his question. That working party will co-operate with my Department, local authorities and the industry in a positive approach to all chemicals in transit throughout the country. Through such an approach we can tackle any problem that may arise. That is the idea of the overall co-ordinating exercise.
Is the Minister aware that chemicals are being transported across this country which are deemed illegal in other European countries? That is my question.
I am not so aware——
It is true.
——that they are deemed to be illegal in other European countries. It is the Department of Labour, as the Deputy will be aware, who control the operation of the provisions of the Dangerous substances Act of 1972. They ensure that they are made aware of any chemical being transported. The fact that another country may not permit the transit of a particular chemical does not mean that we are not satisfied with what we are doing or that we cannot handle what we are doing.