asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that premises in which a fire recently occurred with fatal consequences (details supplied) was rewired shortly before the fire; whether the rewiring was carried out by a qualified electrician; and, if not, what steps have been taken to check other premises which have been wired by the person in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electrical Wiring Inspection.
50.
I am not so aware. In so far as electrical wiring and installations may constitute a potential fire risk, sanitary authorities, in the performance of their fire protection duties, may inspect any building and any installations therein which are considered to be fire hazards and are empowered to take steps to have any necessary remedial action or precautions undertaken.
When the Minister says that he is not aware that a premises in which fire occurred with fatal consequences was rewired shortly beforehand does this mean that he has information to the contrary or that he simply does not know?
I have no information which tells me factually that this premises was rewired, or who the person is who is alleged to have rewired it some time before the fire, as is implied in the Deputy's question.
Is the Minister taking steps to discover if it was rewired, who rewired it, and whether that person is a qualified person and, if he is not, what other premises he has since rewired?
In the case of all such fires reports are drawn up by the fire officer. In his report on this fire he stated quite categorically that he could not establish the cause of the fire. In no way can it be suggested from the report given by the fire officer that this fire was started by faulty wiring. I do not know where this idea came from.
Question No. 51.
Am I right in understanding that the report said the cause of the fire could not be established?
Yes.
Therefore, it could have been faulty wiring?
It could have been any of one hundred and two different reasons.
But it could have been the wiring? Will the Minister now inquire whether it was rewired shortly beforehand, whether it was done by a qualified person and, if not, what steps does he propose to take to deal with the matter?
Even if the premises were rewired shortly beforehand, the rewiring of premises of this nature would be a contractual affair between the owner of the premises and the private contractor who carried out the work. I do not see how I could take any action against the contractor.
Not against the contractor. Will the Minister not agree that if, in fact, this fire could have been caused by faulty wiring—and that suggestion is open at this stage——
There is no evidence to show that this is so.
If it was rewired by an unqualified person would the Minister not consider it his duty to check on any other premises wired by an unqualified person and so avoid the danger of another fire being caused?
The Deputy is asking me to carry out a detailed investigation based on personal assumptions made by the Deputy.
Surely if there is any possible risk to life the Minister should take the necessary precautions? I think the Minister has a duty to do this.
The Deputy can be sure that I will take whatever steps are necessary to protect life in relation to fires and other hazards.
Question No. 51.
51.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether, with reference to his reply to Question No. 108 on 30th July, 1970, that the ESB inspect wiring of new houses to ensure that it is up to standard, he is aware that the Minister for Transport and Power stated on 11th November, 1970, that this wiring was subjected to an insulation test by the ESB before being connected to the main supply; that the purpose of the test was to ensure that connection of the installation would not disrupt the supply system and that no inspection of the wiring system was in fact carried out by the ESB either in the course of construction or completion of the new house; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the statement by the Minister for Transport and Power in reply to Question No. 4 on 11th November, 1970. The reply of 30th July, 1970, was intended to convey to the Deputy that any check or inspection, however limited, of electrical systems in new houses is carried out by the Electricity Supply Board.
Would the Minister not agree that there is a possibility of confusion here and that the true position is that the ESB simply check at the fusebox stage and do not check the wiring of new houses and, to that extent, his reply was misleading? Will he take steps to ensure that the new wiring of new houses will be inspected?
I will agree with the Deputy that one could possibly have interpreted the reply to indicate that the ESB check the wiring in all new houses, which is not so. The position is as the Deputy has stated.
Would the Minister take some steps to ensure that somebody inspects the new wiring in new houses?
Again, this is a matter for the owners of the houses. I should like to inform the Deputy that, for a fee, the ESB are prepared to inspect the wiring of any house for any house owner, but this is a matter for the owner of the house.
Would the Minister not agree that there is a public responsibility in this matter and that people should not be put in the position of having to ring up the ESB and pay for a check? Surely there should be some public provision to ensure against the risks that are involved here? Would the Minister consider that?
It could be a case of caveat emptor.
When people's lives are at stake the principle of caveat emptor is not widely used.
Question No. 52.
In case the Deputy feels that my approach is different from what it really is, I should indicate to him we have at the moment in draft stage new building regulations which will include some regulations governing the installation of wiring in new houses. If he goes into it more deeply I think the Deputy will agree that the type of inspection he is suggesting would be impractical in a way. To carry out a detailed investigation of all the wiring in all new houses would be very expensive and we certainly have not got the personnel to carry out work of that nature.
Would the Minister look at the possibility of instituting spot checks?
I will examine that aspect of it.