I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this important matter. It relates to a tragedy in the Point Depot on 11 May 1996. On that night a great tragedy struck the O'Brien family from Shanagarry in County Cork when young Bernadette was killed in a crush at a concert.
Following that sad event we were promised by the rainbow coalition Government that regulations would be drawn up which would ensure there would not be a recurrence of such a tragedy. On numerous occasions I have called for those regulations to be drawn up and at long last this afternoon I received a copy of the draft regulations. They place the onus, particularly on the promoters of concerts and on the venue owners, for the control of the events to ensure they are run in a safe fashion, but it is a voluntary code.
This approach is far too weak. The promoters must be obliged to ensure safety. A voluntary code is not sufficient to do that. It is self-evident that the regulations in existence at the time were not enforced. Teenagers with seat tickets on the balcony walked unhindered down to the dance hall area, which caused the crush that night. The problem was further compounded by the serving of alcohol to underage concert goers, who flouted the fire safety regulations by sitting on the ground around the bar area, and they were allowed to do so. It brings to mind the Stardust tragedy which could have been revisited on that tragic night.
After the Stardust tragedy the Fire Safety Act, 1981, was introduced in an attempt to prevent a recurrence of such an event. The safety and lives of our young children cannot be compromised for the profit of the promoters of such events. This Government of openness, transparency and accountability will not explain to the parents of Bernadette, who was tragically killed that night, why nobody will be charged as a consequence of her death. It is criminally negligent for anybody to allow the overcrowding which occurred at the Point Depot that fateful night. Nobody has been made accountable. On that occasion up to 90 other children were injured. I have been led to believe that this is a common occurrence at concerts at this venue.
This is a human tragedy and since it is the main obligation of any Government to protect the lives of its citizens, the least one might have expected is that an explanation would be given to the heartbroken parents of Bernadette as to why nobody will be held responsible for the death of their daughter. It gives me no pleasure to say this but everyone knows this is not the first or the last time the Rainbow Coalition behaved insensitively and without concern for the injured parties.
I call on the Government to tell the heartbroken parents of the late Bernadette O'Brien why it will not ensure the matter is fully explained and why it has not introduced legislation to protect the lives of young people at entertainment venues. Those responsible for allowing the overcrowding and the mayhem resulting from same were criminally negligent and the insensitivity of this Government in its approach to this affair is an appalling indictment of its arrogance. I call on the Minister to ensure that all the relevant information requested by the family will be made available to it or its legal representatives immediately.
