asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is prepared to institute a public inquiry into the circumstances which led to the death by fire of eight people in a Dublin factory on 27th March; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Factory Fire.
110.
As indicated in a statement issued by my Department through the Government information Bureau on 28th March last, the Dublin city manager has asked for a special report on this fire and I have requested that copy of the report be made available to me.
The question of the further action to be taken will be considered when the report has been received and studied.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a great deal of public concern arising out of the circumstances of the fire as to whether the procedures regarding fire precautions and fire prevention at present in use are adequate? As it is urgent in order to allay public anxiety that this report should be made available, can the Minister give the House any idea of when it will be available?
The fire services are continually being built up. The fire services in the city are adequate. An inquiry is taking place and when the Minister receives the report he will determine whether a Ministerial inquiry will be held or not.
Arising out of the reply, which is extraordinarily complacent in the circumstances, would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the nature of this fire and the casualties which occurred as a result of it are themselves proof that whatever precautions are enjoined in relation to fire prevention are either not adequate or are not being effectively enforced? There is no way out of it: this was a fire in the middle of the day in which eight people lost their lives. How can the Minister say that the precautions are adequate after that?
It is unfortunate that these deaths occurred. The fire brigade was there in good time——
I am talking about the fire, not what happened afterwards.
The taking of fire precautions and the inspection of fire protection measures is a matter for the corporation. The Minister is informed that inspections of buildings, houses and industrial concerns take place regularly.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House when these premises where the fire occurred were last inspected?
No, I have not that information. I shall get it for the Deputy.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the fire services were adequate. Adequate for what? Are they adequate to cope with two or three major fires at one time? Could the Parliamentary Secretary say, for instance, how many long-extension ladders are in the possession of the fire brigade should it be necessary to use them for high buildings? Could he give us even that much information?
So far as the Minister is concerned the position is that on no occasion, when money or sanction was required by Dublin Corporation, was such money or sanction refused. The corporation seem to be satisfied that the equipment, the appliances and the staff which they have are adequate. Naturally, the aim of the fire authority and of the Minister is that we should achieve a situation that is as near as possible to perfection. In furtherance of that aim better equipment is being purchased and more staff are being employed.
Originally, the Parliamentary Secretary said that the Minister was satisfied that the provisions were adequate. He is saying now that it is the corporation who are satisfied.
The corporation are the authority.
Is the Minister satisfied?
Yes, he is satisfied that there was sufficient equipment and personnel to deal with this particular fire.
I was referring to fires generally.
This relates to one specific question.