Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All of this works on the assumption that the staircases are internal to the building. Some of the new designs we see from architects in other jurisdictions, particularly low-rise mid-density or mid-rise high-density show a return to more external staircases or landings. I presume, from a fire safety point of view, there are advantages to external exits and stairwells being built into the design, as opposed to assuming everything is walking in a door and up a lift shaft and down a stairwell internally.