asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the growing discontent in the A.R.P. Auxiliary Fire Service owing to the failure to issue complete uniform and equipment, and the lack of training facilities; and if the Minister will state what is being done by his Department to remove the causes of complaint.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Auxiliary Fire Service.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that the members of the A.R.P. Auxiliary Fire Service in Dublin have expressed their discontent in regard to certain matters connected with the service. In fact, I have already discussed these matters with members of the service and with representatives of the Dublin Corporation.
The provision of uniforms for the service is a matter of considerable difficulty, because suitable material for the manufacture of these uniforms is, at the moment, in very short supply. I have reason to hope, however, that I will shortly be able to obtain sufficient material from which uniforms can be made up for the personnel of the service.
As regards equipment, I am not aware that any deficiencies exist. Supplies of fire-fighting pumps and of auxiliary equipment sufficient to meet the requirements of the Auxiliary Fire Service have been supplied to the Corporation. The Corporation have furthermore secured all the necessary personal equipment for the members of the service.
As regards training facilities, coordinated arrangements have been made for the training of the members of the service. All the permanent fire brigade stations are available for training, and, in addition, four auxiliary fire stations have been opened for this purpose. Furthermore, arrangements have been made to give every member of the service an opportunity of spending every night of one week on duty at a station, so that they may acquire the necessary experience of fire fighting should any fires occur in a station area during their period of duty. I am satisfied that these facilities are adequate for training purposes.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister, in the last part of his reply, speaks of the facilities offered to men for training. Is he aware that the hoses were turned on when the men were training in the fire brigade stations at a time when they had only their light clothing on? No facilities were offered to them. Is he aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to his Department, on the 6th October of last year, gave me the same reply as the Minister has now given, namely, that the matter was under consideration and that every facility possible would be granted, including the provision of uniforms? Nothing has since been done, with the result that 140 men handed in their resignations. There has been no auxiliary fire service in operation in part of Dublin City since those men handed in their resignations.
The Parliamentary Secretary cannot get uniforms out of the air. They have got to be made.
Mr. Byrne
More than three months have passed since I raised this. They are still without uniforms.
They cannot be got out of the air nor by making speeches.