Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Enniscrone (Sligo) Fire Station.

Mr. M. Brennan

I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. I strongly support the application which has been made by Sligo County Council to have the existing fire station in Enniscrone replaced. This thriving and expanding seaside resort urgently needs a modern, state of the art fire fighting facility.

This fire station serves an area, 22 miles by 80 miles, stretching from the Mayo border, near Ballina, to Skreen in County Sligo, including the villages of Templeboy, Dromore West, Raghly and Culleens and the seaside resort of Easkey. This coastline, which is one of the most beautiful in the country, is densely populated.

The existing fire station was built in the early fifties and its landrover type fire brigade served its purpose well. Times have changed and they now have a modern fire fighting engine. Before this can be reversed into the station its 35 foot extension ladder has to be removed and dismantled. Once this manoeuvre has been completed successfully there is a gap of only four inches when the doors are closed. There is no space available to carry out fire fighting drills or necessary tasks such as cleaning ladders, hoses and other essential equipment such as breathing apparatus. Neither are there any drying or tea making facilities. All maintenance work on the vehicle, ladder or hoses has to be done outside. The nearest fire station at which they can carry out fire drills is Sligo which is 35 miles away. There are no rooms available to hold lectures or show videos on the most up-to-date fire fighting practices, even though oil pollution now poses a greater threat to the beach in Enniscrone. If there was a major oil spillage off the north west coast the fire brigade with Civil Defence personnel would be first on the scene.

The town of Enniscrone has expanded considerably in recent years. There are five hotels in the town with several bed and breakfast premises, restaurants, caravan sites, shops, churches, pubs, entertainment and leisure facilities and nursing homes. The ladders available to the fire station are unsuitable and inadequate for some of the tall buildings. If a fire were to break out the consequences could be catastrophic.

There is an urgent need for a modern, fully equipped fire station. This would enable the nine part-time firemen to cope with any emergency. I urge the Minister of State to issue approval for this fire station.

Mr. Stagg

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and I am pleased to have this opportunity to outline the position to him and the House. There is no difference between us on the case for providing a replacement fire station in Enniscrone. Approval in principle for the provision of a new two bay fire station with drill yard and training tower issued from my Department to Sligo County Council in September 1990. The matter has since progressed to the stage that contract documents have been submitted to the Department by the council which has sought approval to seek tenders for the project.

As the Deputy was advised in reply to a Dáil question on Tuesday, consideration is being given to the projects to be financed from the 1994 capital allocation for the fire service. The proposal for a new fire station in Enniscrone will be evaluated in that context. The Deputy will appreciate that capital funds are limited and that many projects are being considered for funding from the 1994 allocation.

The Government values highly the work of the fire service and is fully aware of the importance of providing up-to-date facilities, equipment and training. Since 1981, £72 million has been invested in the provision of 81 fire stations, the purchase of 286 new fire appliances and other fire fighting equipment and the development of a new regional computer-based mobilisation and call out system. In addition, the Fire Services Council has provided 135 training courses both at home and abroad for a total of 2,428 participants in the last ten years.

Sligo has benefited from this notable progress. A new headquarters fire station has been provided in Sligo town at a cost of almost £1 million and new fire appliances and other fire service equipment costing over £300,000 have been purchased with the aid of grants from my Department. Approval issued last month to the council to seek tenders for a further fire appliance at an estimated cost of £120,000 which will be paid for in full from the fire service capital allocation.

The need for a new fire station in Enniscrone is accepted. This proposal will receive the fullest consideration in the allocation of the fire service capital provision this year.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.20 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 March 1994.