Vol. 529 No. 4
70 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is intended to establish a new authority with overall responsibility for public safety as recommended by the interdepartmental committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3014/01
In 1999, I considered it was in the public interest to examine our current approach to public safety. Consequently, I established the Interdepartmental-Agency Review Group on Public Safety to examine the State's approach to public safety, the adequacy of the existing approach, to identify any deficiencies and to develop a co-ordinated, cohesive and comprehensive approach. In compiling its report the group consulted with all Departments-Agencies and also received submissions (56) from other interested bodies. These primarily dealt with road safety, licensing of events, the regulation of the electrical industry and building controls. The group also carried out research as to how public safety is addressed in other countries.
I published the report of the review group on 29 December, 2000 and I will be discussing the implications of the group's proposals with my Government colleagues.
