asked the Minister for the Environment when it is intended to enable the IIRS to provide full fire-testing facilities in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Tests.
14.
The overall responsibility for the administration of the IIRS and for funding their day-to-day operations is a matter for the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism. The IIRS already provide some facilities for carrying out standard fire tests on construction products, including, for example, tests on furniture, fabrics and electrical components. The question of establishing a full fire testing facility at the IIRS which would deal with all but large scale tests is under examination by my Department in consultation with the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism and in the light of recent recommendations of the Fire Services Council in favour of the provision of such a facility.
Perhaps the Minister is reading the wrong file. That is the same answer he gave me on 25 January 1984. At that time he stated he hoped to reach a satisfactory conclusion very shortly. Subsequently he said it would be within months.
Ask a question.
How long is a few months? We have been waiting 11 months for a decision. The Department and the IIRS were discussing the issue 11 months ago. How much longer will it be before a decision is made?
We set up a Fire Services Council to advise the Minister and the Department of what was required for good fire service development. We asked for their views on this. In September they advised us that such a provision was necessary. We accept that view. We are in consultation with the Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism who have responsibility for the IIRS and we hope to resolve this issue at an early date. The Deputy may say that I said something like this last January.
Exactly the same.
We asked the body we set up to advise us on it. We have taken it that step further and they have come out in favour of such a facility. We will take it from there.
A number of years ago questions were asked about fire proof doors which had to be sent out of the country for testing. We were told then that consideration was being given to the matter of testing them in this country.
On the basis of the recommendation of the body we set up to advise us, I am anxious that this should move quickly. I assure the House that we will pursue it vigorously in consultation with the Department who are responsible for the IIRS.
I would ask the Minister to give some specific date by which a decision will be made. He assured us 11 months ago that he was dealing with this matter himself and hoped to have a decision made very shortly. At that time there was no question of seeking further opinion from a Fire Services Council or anybody else. All major and some minor testing has to be done in Britain and it is not a satisfactory situation for manufacturers of building materials.
I cannot give a date on which such a facility will be set up but I will pursue it and inform the Deputy as soon as I have some definite information following further consultations with another Department.
The same old tune. What is another year?