I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 15, 20, 25, 37 and 80 together.
The Government have considered the Cremer and Warner report and I can assure the Deputies that the most urgent and comprehensive measures are being taken in response to the recommendations contained in it. The Government have accepted the recommendations and have taken the following measures.
The Government have appointed a task force under the aegis of the Minister for the Environment. Its report is to be completed within three months. The members of the task force are: Mr. T. McMahon, McCarthy & Partners, Consulting Engineers, who will act as chairman; Dr. T. McManus, Chief Technical Adviser, Department of Energy; Mr. E. O'Connor, Assistant Chief Engineering Adviser, Department of the Environment; Mr. B. Tuohy, Fire Adviser, Department of the Environment; Mr. S. Dunleavy, Head of Construction Services, IIRS; Mr. J.F. Guth, Chief Engineer, Sofregaz, France; Mr. J. Lang, President of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland; Mr. M. Collins, President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.
Cremer and Warner have agreed to act as advisers to the task force.
The terms of reference given to the task force are as recommended in the Cremer and Warner report:
(a)Identifying potentially vulnerable buildings and situations.
(b)Preparing guidance on priorities, having regard, to the vulnerability of the structure to an explosion, the condition of the gas services, the type and frequency of occupancy, etc.
(c)Providing technical guidance on the implementation of practical remedial measures — in minimising the opportunities for an explosion and, therefore, reducing the chances of progressive collapse.
(d)Identifying all relevant codes and standards that need to be reviewed and updated to incorporate the lessons learnt.
(e)Informing all relevant parties of the findings and advice.
Action is being taken to involve the local authorities and the gas utilities in identifying buildings which may be susceptible to progressive collapse. The owners of these buildings will receive advice from the local authority on suitable remedial measures. Local gas companies are being instructed to undertake comprehensive leak surveys and to report their findings to the task force. The Minister for the Environment will reintroduce the Building Control Bill as a matter of urgency in order to give statutory effect to the building regulations.
I am also examining as a matter of urgency the nature and composition of an agency, and the means by which it might be established, which would be responsible for the investigation of major accidents and public safety matters generally.
There are 29 recommendations addressed to Dublin Gas. These matters have been discussed with Dublin Gas company management and I have been assured that they will be implemented. This will be carefully monitored.
The report also contains recommendations in regard to the future of Dublin Gas, recommendations specific to the developer of Ballsbridge court and recommendations specific to Dublin Corporation.
The obligations of the privately owned gas utilities for the safety of their installations are provided for in the Gasworks Clauses Act, 1847. Under section 24 of the Act, gas undertakings are responsible at law for the proper maintenance of their pipework. The Minister for Energy has no statutory responsibility in this respect.
As recommended in the Cremer and Warner report, and as agreed by the Government, all local gas companies are to undertake comprehensive leak surveys and are to report the results to the task force within two months.
There are no public agencies to which gas utilities report incidents of gas leakages. I will also be considering whether further legislative action may be required in this area.
I would like to point out, however, that substantial work has been done by the Gas Technical Standards Committee on the drafting of Irish standards and codes of practice for products and processes used in the gas industry. A wide portfolio of standards and codes have been produced by the committee in the areas of gas transmission, distribution and installation. Outstanding draft standards and codes of practice dealing with the natural gas industry will be completed during 1987 and 1988. The standards and codes of practice are being produced having particular regard to safety. BGE have assured me that town gas utilities for which they are responsible will adhere to the relevant standards and codes of practice in their operations.
The Cremer and Warner report points out that Dublin Gas management had accepted inferior practices over many years. The receiver had recognised this and progress was being made on these matters prior to the Raglan House incident. Progress continues to be made but there is still room for improvement.
The receiver has introduced new equipment and new work methods into the Dublin Gas company and substantial re-equipping of the repair crews has taken place. A survey of apartment blocks and offices is substantially complete and a programme for the renewal of small bore cast iron pipes is under way. An interim report of a study of the network is expected shortly which will lay out a programme for the systematic renewal where necessary of the mains system.
Receivership in Dublin Gas is an interim position. In order to set a firm course for the future, and to put stability and continuity into Dublin Gas it is my intention to bring this situation to a conclusion as soon as possible with BGE taking control. It is my requirement that BGE give the highest priority to the safe, secure and effective operation of the company.