Vol. 374 No. 7
asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that there will be no reduction in the water safety and swimming courses provided by the Irish Water Safety Association when that body is amalgamated with the Irish Road Safety Association and the Fire Council.
149.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has satisfied himself that, when the Irish Water Safety Association is amalgamated with the Irish Road Safety Association and the Fire Council, there will be no diminution in the services which are at present provided free of charge by the Irish Water Safety Association to the public, to schools, rescue services, local authorities and other bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
150.
asked the Minister for the Environment his views on the proposed amalgamation of the Road Safety Association, the Fire Council, and the Irish Water Safety Association; his views on whether this amalgamation will have a detrimental effect on the unique contribution of the highly skilled Water Safety Association; if his attention has been drawn to the basic voluntary nature of this organisation whereby over 500 instructors, and 100 examiners through the 26 counties, conduct more than 450 courses in water safety, swimming and rescue for the general public, along with other activities; and the steps, if any, he will take to safeguard that very significant contribution to public wellbeing.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 149 and 150 together.
The amalgamation of the Irish Water Safety Association with the Irish Road Safety Association and the Fire Prevention Council was decided on by the Government as part of the programme of measures designed to ensure that services in the public sector generally are provided in a cost effective way. It will be a matter for the new body to agree a work programme and allocate the available resources to ensure the performance of its functions in the three areas, water safety, fire prevention and road safety in the most effective and efficient manner possible. It is my intention that the functions to be performed by the amalgamated safety body will incorporate fully the present functions of the Irish Water Safety Association and the various matters referred to by the Deputies will be taken fully into account in determining the necessary organisational and other arrangements. I fully appreciate the contribution which has been made by many people on a voluntary basis to the work of the association and look forward to their continued active involvement in water safety matters at local level under the aegis of the new body.
