16 May 2006

Environment

Fire Services Legislation

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to update the legislation regarding fire services to reflect the increasing complexity of emergency planning, response and coordination in the twenty-first century; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): The Fire Services Act 1981 as amended by the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003, is a modern and comprehensive legislative code providing the statutory basis under which fire authorities and fire services carry out their fire fighting and other emergency functions. There are no proposals for further primary legislation in this area at this time.