asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the rapid increase in recent years of major industrial installations which have extremely high fire and explosion risk and the action he has taken to ensure that the fire brigade authorities throughout the country have been given sufficient resources in terms of staff and equipment to enable them to cope with the increased scale of fire and explosion risk which these new installations present; and if he will make a statement on the necessity to introduce new fire regulations in our industrial installations in order to increase the safety standards in all our major industrial developments.
Written Answers. - Industrial Installations' Fire Regulations.
194.
Under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1940, it is a matter for each sanitary authority to determine the provision to be made to enable them to discharge their fire-fighting responsibilities. A comprehensive examination of the strength and adequacy of the fire services has been initiated by my Department and reviews of the service in each area are currently being conducted by the sanitary authorities concerned along lines indicated by the Department. These reviews include an assessment of the standards of fire cover provided in respect of special risks which would include industrial installations of the type referred to in the Deputy's question and this assessment would embrace the question of the adequacy of fire brigade staffing and equipment.
Any proposals relating to additional staffing or equipment for the fire services arising from the reviews are given sympathetic consideration in my Department and in recent years there has been a considerable increase in capital investment in new fire stations and modern fire fighting equipment.
As regards safety matters, including fire safety, in industrial premises and premises where dangerous substances are stored or used, the principal statutory provisions in this area are contained in the Factories Act, 1955, and the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972. The responsibility for the operation of these statutes is a matter for the Minister for Labour. I would refer the Deputy to the proposals for changes and innovations in the law relating to safety in factories which are set out in a Bill, entitled the Safety in Industry Bill, 1978, which the Minister for Labour circulated to Deputies on 3 April 1978. I would also refer the Deputy to the draft regulations, which the Minister for Labour proposes to make under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972, providing for improvements in the statutory controls on the storage, loading and unloading at jetties and transportation by road of petroleum.