Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I compliment my colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, our party leader, Deputy Gilmore, and Deputy McManus on tabling this important motion. Like the whole population and all my fellow parliamentarians, I was shocked and saddened to learn of the deaths of Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy who died in the line of duty fighting a fire in Bray on 26 September last. Like everyone in the House, I join in the expressions of heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the families and colleagues of these brave men who lost their lives protecting others, like ourselves, on that fateful day. At a minimum, we owe it to these men and others who have lost their lives to act now and, in particular, to focus on the recommendations and, more particularly, the central recommendation of the Farrell Grant Sparks review of January 2002 which was the establishment of a national fire authority. We must stop foot dragging, putting forward excuses and looking for more reports and analysis. We must ensure an appropriate response is forthcoming. It should be formulated now.

I could not but be struck watching Mary Murray, who I understand is in the Visitors Gallery, on national television in the past week or so. She gave an analysis, assessment and proposals in this regard which were to the point and profound. If we took on board what she said — she was obviously acting on lots of information she gathered from her late husband and his colleagues — we would know how to tackle this problem. There is no need for any further reports or analysis in this regard.

I have seen at first hand the excellent emergency services working on our behalf throughout this country and I salute them. We see their bravery, courage, dedication, commitment and discipline. I refer to the fire and rescue services in my constituency, in particular, in County Westmeath. Mullingar, Kilbeggan and Castlepollard are under the control of Westmeath County Council while the Athlone fire service is under that of Athlone Town Council. The 50 personnel involved in these services have done tremendous work. There are 430 to 440 fire incidents each year in the Mullingar area. The same applies to Athlone. There are approximately 200 or 300 such incidents each year in the Castlepollard-Kilbeggan areas.

One of the issues that arises, and about which I have heard first hand from the firemen, is one which could be tackled tomorrow. There are no standards or guidelines in respect of the extent of fire cover areas. For example, Mullingar fire station services Kinnegad and up to the eastbound carriageway close to Enfield. There has been a call by community groups and others for the provision of a new fire station in Kinnegad which, as most people know, has experienced a significant increase in population and which serves an ever-expanding hinterland.

The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, made some interesting and thought provoking points on the establishment of quangos. It is true the establishment of some quangos has diminished the role of this Parliament. However, the same argument cannot be made in regard to a national fire authority. Putting in place such an authority would ensure uniformity of standards throughout the country and would eliminate the situation that prevails in which there are rostered calls in some areas where the firemen involved are guaranteed they will be on call as opposed to some other areas where such a rostered system is not employed.

The establishment of a national fire authority has the full support of all the chief fire officers in the country. Let us stop the foot dragging and procrastination. The Farrell Grant Sparks report was commissioned and came forward with a central recommendation. As I said, there is no need for further reports or feasibility studies. Let us do what is right now.

We must acknowledge the invaluable and essential role played by the retained fire service and its role in fighting fires and protecting lives and property in their communities and further afield. I have seen at first hand their arrival at the scene of accidents and how they often put their own lives at risk to protect and save our lives and the trauma with which they must deal.

The thrust of the motion calls for the establishment of a national fire authority. It would ensure maximum co-ordination and a uniformity of structure of training and service delivery throughout the country. If funding is required, let central Government step into the breach. As described by my colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, a fireman's job is one of duty which is underpinned by the courage of going to work each day and having to deal with and manage dangerous and life-threatening situations. We must commend the members of the full-time and retained fire service on their great work on behalf of us and the wider community.

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