Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Buildings Fire Precautions.
- Fire precautions in public buildings 4 speeches
Responsibility rests primarily with building owners and operators, while local authorities have inspection powers. O’Connell cited a recently inspected building he called a death trap; the Minister agreed to investigate if given details.
John F. O'Connell, John O'Leary
- Access to fire inspection reports 5 speeches
Keating asked whether inspection reports are publicly available. The Ceann Comhairle ruled this a separate question, and the Minister agreed it was another question.
Michael Keating, Joseph Brennan, John O'Leary
asked the Minister for the Environment the measures which are taken to ensure that fire precautions in public buildings are observed.
Comment on this
The primary responsibility for fire safety in public buildings rests with the authorities or persons owning or operating them. The enforcement of conditions that may be attached by the courts to premises which are subject to licensing by them, such as dance halls and premises used for public singing, music or other entertainment, would be a matter for the Garda.
So far as my Department and local authorities are concerned the local authorities have wide powers of inspection and control in respect of potentially dangerous buildings under the Fire Brigades Act, 1940. Returns indicate that some 7,600 fire safety inspections were carried out in 1976.
The local authorities have been urged on numerous occasions to intensify their fire prevention work and this, as well as all other aspects of the local fire service, is now being reviewed locally as part of the general examination of the state of the service which local authorities have been asked to undertake.
I would like to see fire prevention work stepped up considerably and I will be considering in the light of the reviews whether there are any steps open to me to assist local authorities in this area.
My Department is also considering with the fire insurance interests possible ways and means of raising the general level of awareness of fire risks and of the importance of safety measures.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that one building was inspected by an inspector of his Department and was passed on 28 February, that there was a fire there a few weeks later and that it is a veritable death trap? Would the Minister look into this matter privately? It was examined on 28 February; I will give him the details.
Comment on this
Might I ask if the reports of such inspections are available to members of local authorities and/or Members of Dáil Éireann, such as, for example, the fire officers report in a case such as the one mentioned by Deputy O'Connell?
Comment on this
I merely asked if the documents relating to such inspections are publicly available.