Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have answers to some of the specific questions posed by Deputy O'Brien. I have taken note of them and will revert to him as soon as possible.

I thank the Deputy for his comments and observations and assure him that I am committed to ensuring Traveller accommodation needs are met in a safe and suitable manner. As is appropriate in the aftermath of such an appalling tragedy, the audit and improvement of fire safety in local authority provided Traveller accommodation was a critical task undertaken by my Department's national directorate of fire and emergency management. The concluding report, entitled a Programme to Review and Enhance Fire Safety in Local Authority Provided Traveller Accommodation, was published in September 2015. The report enumerated the fire safety measures and actions that were required as well as recommending a series of further actions to sustain fire safety in the long term. My Department continues to work with the local authorities and the national Traveller representative groups to ensure safe and secure accommodation for Travellers is provided in accordance with their preference through a comprehensive local and national collaborative structure.

I have taken a note of some of the issues Deputy O'Brien has raised and I will get back to him as soon as possible.

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