asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to introduce new measures relating to the national fire services and their ability to cope, in the event of an emergency, with toxic and other dangerous substances.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Fire Service .
21.
: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 17 on 28 May last, the state of the fire service is being examined in detail by the local authorities at the present time. These reviews extend to consideration of the arrangements for dealing with emergency situations, including incidents involving dangerous substances.
Basically it is a matter for the local authorities to consider and decide on the provision to be made. My Department have organised seminars for senior technical officers of local authorities to provide information on aspects of the problem and has provided advice, prepared in co-operation with authorities concerned with the control and transportation of dangerous substances, on contingency planning needs in particular cases. Additional advice and assistance of this kind will be provided as the need and opportunity arise in the light of the work on the local reviews of the fire service to which I have referred.
: Regardless of whatever hypothetical proposal might be introduced is the Minister satisfied with the position relating to carrying this type of cargo on the public roadways?
: We have assisted local authorities to fulfil their part of the function as far as possible. We have organised seminars and so forth to advise them. We have advised them as far as we think is necessary so far.
: The Minister has not answered my question. Is he happy with the position?
: With regard to the overall fire services situation I have mentioned that the whole thing is being reviewed and local authorities are sending in returns. The whole thing is being examined and will be dealt with when this is completed.
: In view of the fact that the Minister persistently refuses to say whether or not he is satisfied is he aware that the Chief Fire Officers Association at their recent conference said that lethal cargoes of poisonous and explosive chemicals are regularly passing through densely populated areas and that they could lead to a major disaster?
: I would not accept the suggestion of a major disaster in that statement. In regard to the previous question the Deputy asked I am not fully satisfied with the matter at the moment. As I said in my reply it is being dealt with under the reviews that are going on at the moment with local authorities.
: Could the Minister draw the attention of the review body to the bulk carrying of some chemicals involving lethal substances being transported by road along with cargoes of a very general nature without any safety precautions, according to the Chief Fire Officers Association, who, one presumes, should know?
: The chief fire officers the Deputy is referring to are part of the review system going on at the moment. Some of the local authorities have not gone mad doing those reviews. This involves the fire officers. I had hoped we would have heard from many more local authorities than we have heard from to date. I would like them to have stepped up the pace of sending the review of their studies to my Department so that we can deal with the problem.
(Interruptions.)
: Question No. 22. We have spent seven minutes on this question.