Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We will deal with the coupled amendments Nos. 1 and 10, tabled by Senator Bannon. I cannot disagree with anything he has said about the importance of fire safety. The feeling is unanimous in both Houses that we have a duty and obligation in relation to fire safety. Regarding the proposal to insert "chief fire officer or inspection officer" in the Bill, the person authorised by the fire authority would include the chief fire officer and other senior officers. There would be a number of assistant chief fire officers, and other senior officers could be authorised and appointed by the fire authority, by the county manager. As I pointed out in the Dáil, there is no need to single out one particular officer. The fire officer would nominate officers and one would naturally be the chief fire officer, so there is no necessity to specify the chief fire officer or indeed the inspection officer as Senator Bannon has suggested. For that reason I am not prepared to accept the amendment.