asked the Minister for the Environment the date on which he received from the now defunct Fire Services Council the draft regulations placing the onus of responsibility upon owners of premises where the public congregate in respect of fire precautions; and when he proposes to make these or other regulations in this matter.
Written Answers - Draft Fire Regulations.
166.
Under Section 18 (2) of the Fire Services Act, 1981, the onus of responsibility to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on premises to which the public have access and to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable the safety of persons on the premises if fire occurs is placed on the person in control of such premises and a regulation is not required in the matter.
A draft of the part of a code of practice dealing with the management aspects of fire safety in places of assembly was submitted by my Department by the Fire Services Council in June last. This draft is under consideration at present. I hope to be in a position to make the regulations under section 37 of the Fire Services Act and issue the code of practice in a matter of months.
The Fire Services Council are not defunct, as stated by the Deputy and provide an effective service in appropriate areas.