I now turn to Part 3 of the Bill which addresses more general amendments to the Fire Services Act 1981, the basic legislation dealing with fire fighting and fire safety in Ireland. Twenty years have passed since the introduction of the Act. In that time much change has occurred in relation to fire safety and prevention which warrants recognition in a legal context. I am aware that a number of the provisions, particularly the penalty provisions included in the 1981 Act, have proved to be less than effective in practice and are in need of reform.