John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can take action on any legislative proposals or administrative changes that are required by the end of the year as long as the review I spoke about in my first contribution is finalised by then. We hope to have the review finalised in the next couple of months. It is not accurate to suggest that there are no rules and regulations. The issue that has emerged relates to the level of inspection. Depending on the outcome of the review, there are actions that will need to be taken. The Government will not oppose the Bill because we fully stand with the aims behind it, which relate to public safety at public events. Everyone in the country will be familiar with the scenarios that have been outlined, having been to funfairs as children. Most parents, if not all, have brought children to funfairs on many occasions. Much of what we are discussing relates to domestic tourism, which continues to have great potential for growth. I hope we might yet get a repeat of last year's summer, despite the colder weather of recent weeks. Such weather would attract more people to funfairs and fairgrounds throughout the country.

The proposals in the legislation are ultimately an attempt to scrutinise the existing systems and processes, which is an important thing to do from time to time. It is sad in a way. I realised a few minutes after Deputy O'Reilly spoke about an incident in County Tipperary in which a girl was killed that I have a vague recollection of it. I would have been a child at the time. My mother probably shouted at me as I ran out of the car on the prom in Tramore. As I said earlier, it is important to point out that the Planning and Development Act 2000 places safety requirements at funfairs in the hands of operators. I agree with Deputy O'Reilly's point that we have personal responsibility too. Matters are complicated when we are talking about dealing with mechanically operated equipment of any sort. People have a responsibility to ensure they do not place themselves or anybody else in danger. Equally, it is important that equipment is always up to the standard of safety that is required.

The Government fully supports the spirit and ambition of this Bill, which correctly targets the enhancement of public safety. As I said in my first contribution, the issue we have is that the question of safety at funfairs and fairgrounds needs to be considered in the broader context of public safety. Ireland is lucky to have very good public servants who deal with issues of public safety, often in circumstances of storms and bad weather and emergencies like those that have been mentioned by several Deputies. Some of those officials are here today. My only criticism of the Bill is that it is aimed solely and specifically at funfairs rather than the broader public safety context I have mentioned. The Government will take action in the wider context on foot of this legislation and the review I mentioned earlier. I thank Deputy Niall Collins for bringing forward the Bill.

6 o’clock

The Government will work with Members across the House to make sure the regime for the governance, inspection, investigation and enforcement of safety at fairgrounds is optimal and that learning from this process is applied to public safety at other events, in line with international best practice. It is intended, following the completion of the review, that there will be action in this area before the end of the year.

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