Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. No proposals have been made to me in respect of the fire service in the Defence Forces Training Centre, DFTC, in the Curragh Camp and I have made no decision in relation to it. I just want to make that clear because I did hear of reports in August which were a surprise to me at the time. They were not brought to my attention in any formal way prior to that. Since then, the military authorities have confirmed that proposals on the fire service are under consideration and that no decision has been made in respect of them. I was surprised by the current narrative on the imminent closure of the DFTC fire station and I was not happy with that emerging in the manner in which it did. I can understand the frustration and anxiety caused to those members and their families by this narrative. I want to make it clear that no decision has been made and no formal proposal has yet been submitted.

The Deputy's broader question about its application to the wider community would need some discussion with the local authorities. I do not believe it is the role of the Defence Forces to be the fire service. Under the local authority, there are existing frameworks and structures to ensure adequate fire safety and cover. Of course, obviously, in any event we are there to supplement and support the civil fire service and to be of assistance but it should not be the only service.

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