Vol. 495 No. 7
642 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has in relation to the maintenance of optimum safety and regulatory standards in the sport and recreational areas; if any legislation has been enacted in this regard; the plans, if any, he has to bring forward legislation in this regard with particular reference to building standards, fire safety, hygiene and water safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21578/98]
Safety at sports fixtures is the responsibility in the first instance of those who organise events and those who own or administer the grounds or venue in which fixtures are held.
As I have indicated to the Deputy in a previous reply, issues relating to crowd safety at sports fixtures are governed by a number of legislative provisions operating under the aegis of my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment and Local Government and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
For example, the Department of the Environment and Local Government advise that the Fire Services Act, 1981, places a duty on every person having control over certain premises to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on the premises and to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an out-break of fire. The Act also places a duty on any person on the premises to conduct themselves in such a way as to ensure that any person is not exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of their behaviour. The Fire Safety in Places of Assembly (Ease of Escape) Regulations, 1985, provide that in specified places of assembly, certain fire safety precautions relating to escape routes and exit doors should be taken by every person having control over a place of assembly and that a person in a place of assembly should not prevent or obstruct the person in control from complying with the regulations. The Act also empowers fire authorities to inspect buildings and to serve fire safety notices on the owner or occupier prohibiting the use of all or part of a building. Provision is also made for recourse by a fire authority to the High Court in certain cases.
The building, extension or material alteration of a sports building is governed by the national building regulations, made by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. I am advised by his Department that the Minister has issued technical guidance on compliance with the regulations. Compliance is primarily a matter for the designers, builders and owners of sports buildings who must obtain a fire safety certificate from the local building control authority prior to the commencement of work.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has advised me that issues in relation to public order and law enforcement at sports events would, of course, be a matter for the Garda Síochána.
Thus, local authorities and the Garda play a central role in assisting ground management in meeting their responsibilities and may, in certain circumstances, have to insist on specific measures being taken in order to achieve reasonable standards.
