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Proposed Legislation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2020

Thursday, 26 November 2020

Questions (252, 253)

John Brady

Question:

252. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for the publication of the heads of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/20]

View answer

John Brady

Question:

253. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the stakeholder engagement planned for the drafting of the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39521/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.

The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of each individual fire authority. This work of Local Authority Fire Services, has, to a large degree, been supported by the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 for nearly 40 years. While this legislation has served the country well it is an appropriate time now to ensure that it fully and accurately reflects the expanded and more dynamic role that our Fire Services have taken on in recent years.

It is my intention to bring forward legislation - the Fire, Emergency Management and Public Safety Bill- whose primary purpose will be to update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003 with particular reference to changes needed arising out of the Grenfell tragedy in the UK. Furthermore, the Bill will place relevant elements of emergency management practice at national and local level on a statutory footing and revise the legislative approach to certain aspects of public safety in Ireland with an initial focus on safety at funfairs.

A General Scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation within my Department. I anticipate bringing a Memorandum to Government on this issue, in the near future, followed by publication of the Bill.

The General Scheme has been informed by extensive consultation with the relevant sectors likely to be impacted by its provisions. All parts of the Bill have been discussed on a number of occasions at the Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM). The Board is made up of a representative number of Chief Executive Offices from Local authorities, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) as well as other Government Departments. The Board has endorsed the general approach taken in the Bill.

Local authorities are the sector most likely to be affected by all Parts of the Bill. For that reason special attention was paid to seeking their opinions as to the shape of this legislation should take. The views of all Chief Executive Officers, Chief Fire Offices and the relevant Directors of Service were sought via a formal written process.

Specifically in relation to Part 2 of the Bill (Fire Safety) the CFOA also contributed to the consultative process via a focus group of Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers.

With respect to Part 3 of the Bill (Emergency Management) many of the provisions are based on the findings of the Review Report on the severe weather events “Delivering Integrated Emergency Management” brought to Government in December 2019. During the development of this Report significant engagement with key stakeholder groupings took place and informed the final recommendations in that Report.

In the case of Part 4 (Public Safety) of the Bill a large number of the provisions relate to safety at funfairs. These provisions are being enacted following a comprehensive review of safety carried out by my Department. This Review included a significant degree of consultation with the key stakeholders in the sector.

The Bill being advanced has been shaped and informed already by extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders. However, as with any legislative process my Department remains open to receiving and considering all views on the subject matters covered by the Bill.

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