Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 6 March 2008 with persons (details supplied). [11397/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My predecessor in office, Deputy Bertie Ahern, met twice with the families of the two fire fighters who died last September responding to a factory fire in Bray, County Wicklow. He took the opportunity to convey the sympathy and condolences of the Government to both families on their loss. During the meetings, discussion focused on the concerns expressed by the families for the safety of the people of Bray and improvements to the fire services in the area, together with their call for an independent investigation into the tragedy. During the meetings he assured the families that the Government will address all the issues arising from the findings of current investigations. The families were also assured of the Government's commitment to support the development of modern, safe fire services for the community of Bray and nationwide.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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When the families met the previous Taoiseach, they were very grateful for the opportunity. They met twice, as has been said, but there was an expectation that those meetings would lead somewhere. Is the Taoiseach aware that prior to those meetings a statement was signed by all the local Deputies, including Government Deputies, and all the other key players in regard to the fire service in the county, calling on the Government and the Taoiseach to set up an independent inquiry, to set up a national fire authority and to provide a full-time service for areas of large population like Bray? That is the context.

Will the Taoiseach state in detail what has happened since that statement was made and since the families were brought to meet the previous Taoiseach? This matter has gone on for a long time and, if anything, the service has been deteriorating rather than improving as a result of people being out sick and numbers being reduced. People's concerns are heightened in the town of Bray in particular.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy knows, in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Wicklow County Council, the Health and Safety Authority and the Garda Síochána each announced it was carrying out an investigation into the fire, so three inquiries are currently underway, each dealing with particular aspects of the tragedy. In these circumstances, it is best to await the outcome of the inquiries and then decide what next steps could be considered or taken. The then Taoiseach indicated we would seek to address all issues arising from the findings of those investigations which remain current and, hopefully, they can be brought to a conclusion as soon as is practicable.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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It is over eight months since the fire happened and although the three investigations were set up relatively quickly, we still have no reports and there is no sign of an independent investigation being established. Given that the Taoiseach's Department, and the Taoiseach's predecessor, took a particular interest in this matter, will he pursue it with the three bodies which are carrying out these reports, ask them to come to a conclusion and report back so we can begin to respond to the concerns that have been expressed and the suffering that has arisen for these families? It deserves attention and some kind of response that will have real meaning for the people of Bray.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As I said, I can make inquiries of them as to when they expect to have their inquiries completed, if that is in order, which I am sure it is. I will tell them the matter has been raised in the House and inquire in what way they can complete their investigations.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That would be helpful. I thank the Taoiseach.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I remember when this tragedy occurred. I live less than three miles from where the fire took place and I know the families concerned. There was much shock at the time, locally and nationally, at what happened, namely, two firemen killed in the course of their work in what appeared to be a normal enough fire that they found themselves confronting. One of the issues was the astonishment shared by many people that a large town like Bray does not have a full-time fire service. One of the calls made at the time was for the establishment of full-time fire services under a national fire authority in large urban centres like Bray. Has any progress been made at Government level to advance the idea of the fire service being made full-time in large centres like Bray?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a fire service in its functional area is, as we know, the statutory responsibility of the local authority——

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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That is the problem.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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——which is Wicklow County Council in this case. Without revisiting the issues raised at the time, I do not think it was a question of whether it was a part-time retained or full-time service. It was an unfortunate accident which occurred when two gentlemen——

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We do not know that.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In so far as one's understanding of it is at the moment——

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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No, there is a different view.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Fine. If there is another view, that is fair enough. That is perhaps why we should await the outcome of these inquiries and wait for those who are competent in these areas to comment further. I am just giving the response to Deputy Gilmore's point. My understanding, subject to the outcome of the inquiries, is that this was not the critical issue in this case, although I am not seeking to raise a contention in this regard. This issue is a matter between the local authority, in the first instance, and others in the area, and that is where it is best dealt with.

The issue with which my Department had an involvement was in regard to ascertaining what arises from these current investigations. As I have said, I will inquire as to when they might reach finality so we can have a better idea and a further discussion thereafter.