Fire Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2005

Tuesday, 28 June 2005

Ceisteanna (131)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

129 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the fire services change programme, as announced on 17 February 2005, to be complete; if the strategy will include establishing a national fire safety authority which was recommended as a key recommendation in the 2002 Government commissioned report on the fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I refer to the reply to Question No. 127 of 18 May 2005.

The fire services change programme involves a series of measures designed to bring about direct improvements in key areas of the fire services. I expect to see significant progress in community fire safety in particular in a relatively short time but other measures are likely to be developed on a phased basis over a longer period.