Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 6

Written Answers. - Temporary Football Stands.

Pat Lee

Question:

250 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for the Environment if, in light of the recent football stand collapse in Corsica, his Department intend to prohibit the use of temporary stands at all places of public assembly pending the outcome of an official inquiry.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith)

The Minister for Education is responsible generally for matters relating to crowd safety and control in sports stadia and I have no power to introduce a prohibition of the kind suggested.

There are specific provisions in the Fire Services Act, 1981 and regulations made thereunder, in relation to fire safety in places of public assembly; enforcement is a matter for the relevant local authority. In addition, there are provisions in the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1890 (also enforceable by the local authority) about safety on public occasions.