On Question No. 12, the tribunal also requested the establishment of regulations under section 37 for the management of buildings. Can the Minister give us an assurance that these regulations will have effect on all existing buildings and that there will not be any exemptions for existing buildings which provide for public access?

No. The code of practice being drafted will cover only new buildings. Existing buildings present much greater problems in the preparation of a code of practice. There will be a method of trade off between the different aspects of fire safety and there will be a decision regarding the lead-in times for complying with the proposed standards. In relation to older buildings one must give people time to have the necessary works carried out. This will be done, ensuring that an overall fire safety consideration will be maintained. It cannot be operated overnight in regard to old buildings and will have to be brought in on a slower basis. The fire authorities will do that.

Will the Minister ensure that there is a sufficient number of inspectors available to monitor the implementation of the code of practices for older buildings?

Presumably those regulations will come before the House and there will be an opportunity to discuss them in one way or another.

We could be waiting for another four years.

We cannot discuss them in their absence, so to speak.

Over the past while, we have appointed 43 fire prevention officers throughout the country and 19 in Dublin. The personnel of the inspectorate has been improved dramatically. Hopefully that meets the point about which the Deputy is concerned.