asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied in respect of the Dublin city and county, including Dún Laoghaire, that the firefighting facilities and equipment as well as the water pressure are adequate to deal with the present population of the areas concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Fire Fighting Facilities.
31.
The obligation to make provision for the prompt and efficient extinguishing of fires is imposed on sanitary authorities by the Fire Brigades Act, 1940. Due to the fact that expenditure on the fire service is completely rate-borne, the acquisition of equipment is a matter for the sanitary authority. My Department has, however, encouraged these authorities by means of circular letters and inspections to provide themselves with the most modern firefighting equipment available.
I am informed that the firefighting facilities, equipment and water pressures in respect of Dublin city and county including Dún Laoghaire, are generally adequate to meet the requirements of the areas. The general question of the firefighting arrangements is kept under constant review in my Department and in any case where equipment or water pressure appears to be inadequate, my Department urges the sanitary authority to remedy the deficiency.
Everyone recognises the skill and efficiency with which the firefighting personnel perform their functions but is the Minister satisfied that with the growth of the population in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire the firefighting facilities are adequate? The growth of population means more premises and is the Minister satisfied that firefighting facilities are now adequate to deal with the situation? The Minister is aware that recently there were a number of serious fires. There was the serious fire in the church in Dún Laoghaire; there was the fire in the city; and recently there was a fire on the outskirts of the town of Bray where certainly the water pressure was inadequate. Is the Minister satisfied that adequate investigation is made to keep the facilities, the water pressure and other equipment, up to the demands of the situation?
Yes; I am satisfied. In Dún Laoghaire some improvements are being made at present. In regard to the fire in Dublin city, it is not correct to say that there was any deficiency of water pressure on the occasion in question. Having regard to the fire in Bray, the deficiency in water pressure arose because of the private supply to the hotel in question. The pressure was adequate in the Dublin Corporation main.
I understand with regard to that particular fire that unfortunately on the day, or part of the day, in question the pressure was reduced in order to carry out certain repairs. The Minister will appreciate that fires do not give notice in advance. The Minister is aware that certainly in the case of the Dún Laoghaire fire, if that had occurred in an occupied building or had happened at night, serious as was the loss of the church, much more serious consequences might have resulted.
As the Deputy probably knows in regard to Dún Laoghaire, this matter was investigated by the Department's fire adviser and his recommendations in regard to both water pressure and the call-out of firemen are being implemented by the Borough Corporation.
In regard to Glencormac Hotel, is the Minister aware that when the firemen connected the hoses to the main, the water just dribbled out, that there was no pressure, good, bad or indifferent? Is he further aware that the management of this hotel had been in touch for five or six years trying to get larger connections and they would not be allowed?
My information is that there was an old three-inch supply from the corporation main to the hotel and that it was the condition of this that was responsible for the deficiency in pressure and that the owner has been recommended to install a fourinch supply.
Since when? Is the Minister not aware there was correspondence going on for years and that they have a file two feet high?
I am not so aware.