Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 March 2015
207. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious issues of fire safety at the Longboat Quay development in Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9487/15]
View answerLocal authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in residential developments. Compliance with the statutory requirements that apply to a building, or works in relation to a building, is first and foremost a matter for the owners, designers and builders concerned. I understand that Dublin Fire Brigade in its capacity as Fire Authority is proactively engaging with the owners and occupiers of the homes in this multi-unit development to resolve a number of problems that have been identified. I would advise all concerned to cooperate with the Fire Authority in carrying out its statutory role. The Dublin Docklands Development Authority, which retains an ownership interest, in elements of the property concerned, is co-operating fully in that context.
Neither I nor my Department have any function in assessing, checking or testing compliance, or otherwise, of specific works or developments, nor can I or my Department influence or interfere in the handling of specific cases by local authorities who are at all times independent in the use of their statutory powers.
