Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Responsibility for the provision of fire services is a matter for the local authority. That there are eight fire stations in Laois and only five in Offaly does not mean they cannot co-operate with each other to deal effectively with fires. Nor does it mean that counties cannot have a plan to ensure that every possible area is covered in the event of an emergency.

The Department's role is through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, which establishes policy through the local government system in order to implement changes. There is good reason the changes were made by people in the Department in the past and through the local authority system. There is a requirement for consolidation and efficiency in the current financial climate. However, that can be done at the same time as ensuring that people are safe in the knowledge that there is an adequate and appropriate response in the event of an emergency.

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