Vol. 438 No. 5
3 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the recent tragedy when two men died in a fire on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7, he will introduce new regulations for private rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
86 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether existing fire safety regulations are adequate in view of the recent fire in a house on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7, in which two people died, and reports that some windows in the house were barred; if he has sought or received any report on the fire; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 86 together.
At the outset, I wish to extend my sympathies to the families and friends of the two men who died in the fire and indeed to all who suffer the consequences of fire. I am advised that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the Garda should continue its investigations into this incident and, on completion, submit the full file to him for consideration and direction as to further action. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any particular aspect of the incident.
Statutory provisions are in place which deal comprehensively with fire safety requirements in buildings such as flats and apartments. The Fire Services Act, 1981, sets out responsibility for fire safety in a wide range of premises, including living accommodation such as flats and apartments, and it gives fire authorities powers of inspection and enforcement. It is a matter for fire authorities to exercise these functions on the basis of priorities which they determine in the light of local circumstances.
The Building Control Act and the building regulations made under the Act prescribe fire safety requirements in relation to a wide range of new buildings and material alterations and changes of use in existing buildings. Technical guidance documents have been published which indicate how these requirements may be complied with. A code of practice which would provide fire safety advice to owners and occupiers of existing flats, has been prepared by my Department, with the assistance of senior local authority fire officers; this will be published as soon as possible.
As regards other aspects, I refer to the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 1993, which came into operation for private rented dwellings on 1 January 1994 and which oblige the landlords of such dwellings to ensure that they comply with certain minimum standards in regard to structural condition, provision of sinks, toilets, baths, showers, and so on. Enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of the housing authority for the area in which the rented dwelling is located.
Local authorities were recently requested in a circular letter from my Department to secure the highest degree of compliance with the standards regulations, and to take prompt and effective action in relation to breaches of the regulations, complaints or inquiries. They were also reminded of their inspection and enforcement powers in respect of a wide range of premises including flats, apartments etc. under the Fire Services Act, 1981, and the Building Regulations, 1991. As safety from fire is extremely important in residential premises, authorities were advised that they should accord the necessary priority to the question of fire safety in discharging their responsibilities in this matter. The question of introducing a system of compulsory registration to assist local authorities to identify rented dwellings is under consideration.
I join the Minister in expressing my sympathy to the relatives of those who died tragically in this fire and I accept his reasons for not wishing to say very much about the matter. Is the Minister aware that there were 16 bedsits in this one house and that at least some of the windows were barred? Will he agree that throughout this city there appears to be a very large number of similar buildings — I say "appears to be" because I can get no figures on this matter? This is one good reason for a house survey, not only in Dublin but throughout the State. Will the Minister also agree that many people, particularly parents of students in this city, are very concerned about the standard of accommodation in which their children are living and very disturbed by incidents of this nature? These buildings are fire traps. I am surprised by the Minister's complacency in reply to this question because it is a very disturbing problem which causes acute concern to many people. Urgent action is required to ensure that tragedies of this nature to not recur.
I reject out of hand an accusation of complacency on my part or that of my colleagues, officials in my Department or in local authorities. As I explained, I introduced a number of controls since I became Minister for the Environment. I also assisted the Fire Services Council in a number of programmes to highlight the dangers associated with the areas mentioned by the Deputy. I cannot go into specific details but, regrettably, because of security and other considerations, the ground floors of buildings are often barred up. There is a conflict between what people find they have to do for security reasons and what is necessary for safety reasons. I do not wish to go into this matter in further detail except to say that everything possible will be done at local authority level in the provision of notice which will enable people to ensure that fire regulations are met to the fullest possible degree.
May I repeat the allegation of complacency——
Repetition at this stage is a luxury we cannot afford.
Is the Minister aware that his sentiments do not compare with those expressed by his Minister of State in interviews after this tragic event in which he said it was necessary to take urgent action in the matter? In view of the fact that the legislation introduced after the Stardust tragedy dealt mainly with places of public assembly rather than private houses, flats and bedsits when will such action be taken? Will the Minister say why he cannot introduce legislation, for example, to make it compulsory to have smoke alarms in these premises, considering their success elsewhere, particularly in the United States? In that country five out of six private homes have smoke alarms, resulting in a reduction by half in deaths by fire.
I asked for brevity to enable the House to complete five questions. We have not yet disposed of two questions. Question No. 4, please.
The Minister has no answer to those questions.
