asked the Minister for the Environment if, in the light of the Zurich swimming pool disaster earlier this year, he can confirm that he has instructed officials in his Department to carry our a major review of all roof structures in swimming pools in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swimming Pool Roof Structures.
14.
My Department has issued to local authorities guideline specifications for swimming pools. The type of construction recommended does not provide for reinforced concrete suspended ceilings of the kind which collapsed in Zurich. No major structural problems have been experienced with the types of roof used in local authority pools in Ireland, or in pools provided by others with financial aid from the local authories.
Responsibility for the maintenance of local authority swimming pools rests with the local authorities themselves. In so far as other pools are concerned, local authorities have power, under the Local Government (Sanitary Service) Act, 1964, to require the owner to carry out necessary works, or to act themselves in default, if the structure is considered to be dangerous.
Do the Department ask local authorities to monitor the structures of these pools?
As I said in my reply, the construction specifications are laid down by the Department and have been issued to local authorities. From then on it is the duty, therefore, of the relevant local authority to continue to carry out monitoring procedures to ensure the safety of all aspects of swimming pools. I want to strongly draw the attention of the House to the fact that, whereas everybody would be concerned about the type of collapse that happened in Zurich with the consequent loss of life there, as swimming pools in this country are not constructed to the same specifications and use different methods, I would not like to cause any undue worry among the many people who find swimming pools of great benefit to them. I am aware that, where they are either local authority pools or local authority-funded, the relevant local authorities do monitor the situation at those pools regularly.
I can assure the Minister that I am not trying to cause any alarm. Would he say if there is any monitoring carried out of the actual chemicals in these pools?
On a weekly or daily basis?
Arrangements for local authorities are clearly set out as to how they should carry out cleaning and maintenance of proper sanitary conditions in pools in their areas. It is the function of the local authority to do this. I know that many local representatives lucky enough to have pools in their local authority area are very conscientious about seeing that the highest level of sanitary arrangements are maintained in those pools.
Is the Minister aware that many people fear the corrosive effect of chemicals on the actual structure of such swimming pools?
On the one hand corrosive effect chemicals may result in keeping the water safe. In that respect a local authority must regularly inspect pools in their area, the construction of the ceilings and roof structures. With the exception of one pool about which I do not wish to make any great point, small problems have arisen in that area, but I understand that they have been put right because of action taken by the relevant local authority which I would expect to be the position vis-à-vis any local authority pools.
Has the Minister any information on the number of times that a local authority must take samples of the waters in a swimming pool in order to have them publicly analysed to ensure that the chlorine content and the quality of the water are up to standard?
I do not like to use the traditional method of refusing to answer the question by saying it was not asked simply because I do not have that information with me. The question had to do with the construction of pools rather than——
This question is about roof structures. I am calling Question No. 15.