Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 1

Written Answers. - Crowd Control.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

34 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation whether he has satisfied himself that proper crowd control procedures are in place at all major sporting fixtures in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11233/98]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

37 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has completed a survey of crowd control procedures at major sporting functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11234/98]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 37 together.

Safety at sports fixtures is the responsibility in the first instance of those who organise events and those who own or administer the grounds or venue in which fixtures are held. Issues related to crowd safety at sports fixtures are governed by a number of legislative provisions operating under the aegis of my colleagues, the Ministers for Environment and Local Government; Health and Children, and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Department of Education and Science facilitated the preparation of and in January 1996 published, for the guidance of organisers and ground administrators, a detailed and comprehensive code of practice for safety at sports grounds. The code was prepared by a working party, chaired by a senior local authority official, which also included a senior garda, a chief fire officer, a local authority building surveyor and a local authority senior structural engineer. It was completed following extensive consultations with national sports organisations, stadium management, event promoters and the various statutory and non-statutory authorities involved. The code is voluntary and has been widely distributed to sports organisations, the Garda, health boards, local authorities, event promoters, etc.

Local authorities, the Garda and health boards play a central role in assisting ground management to meet their responsibilities and may, in certain circumstances, have to insist on specific measures being taken in order to achieve reasonable standards of safety.