asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will consider the advisability by the introduction of proposals for legislation, or otherwise, of dealing with the serious menace to life and property which at present exists in most towns in the Saorstát owing to inadequate provision of fire-fighting appliances.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES.
Under Section 73 of the Towns Improvement Act, 1854, Town Commissioners and Urban District Councils are already empowered to maintain fire engines, appliances, and staff as they think fit. The existing statutory provision seems sufficient, and local public opinion should be relied on to stimulate further action where a need for it exists.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the location of existing fire brigades whose services could be requisitioned in case of a serious outbreak of fire in localities where proper appliances are not available.
This is a matter for inquiry of local bodies likely to be concerned. In the majority of the urban districts fire appliances worked usually by volunteer staffs, are available for local outbreaks. In the county boroughs and Dublin townships the brigades are sufficiently equipped to attend outbreaks of fire outside the station area, but such attendance is purely voluntary, and there is no compulsion on a brigade to attend outside calls.
Would the Minister consider the advisability of introducing legislation having for its object the establishment of a fund by local authorities who have not fire brigades, or who had not fire brigades, with a view to compensating members of other fire brigades who meet with accidents in these particular areas. I ask that question because on a recent occasion when the Cork brigade was summoned to Limerick one of the members of the brigade was killed, and his dependents have not received a penny of compensation from the Limerick County Council or any other body.
I should like to ask the Minister if he is aware that certain councils are hampered in the equipping of their brigades with fire-fighting apparatus because of the recent change in the Customs Regulations made by the Department of Finance. I would ask the Minister to use his good offices with the Minister for Finance to allow fire-fighting apparatus into the country free of duty. That would make it possible for some of these councils to procure fire-fighting apparatus.
These are two separate questions. I would be prepared to consider a statement of facts submitted dealing with either one or other of the matters referred to.