Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I join other Members in extending my deepest sympathy to the family of Brian Murray, including his wife Mary, and to the family of Mark O'Shaughnessy. The deaths of these part-time firefighters, who were carrying out their duty on behalf of the State, are a terrible tragedy. We all know such dedicated and hard-working servants of the State. These men sacrificed their lives in their efforts to prevent the spread of the fire in Bray yesterday.

I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that the Leader should consider a debate on fire safety services. Yesterday's deaths impart an urgency to the issue which may not have been apparent before yesterday. The Farrell Grant Sparks report of January 2002 was the last examination of the fire service, but an implementation report issued last June. The latter confirmed that many of the recommendations in the review of fire services and fire safety in Ireland contained in the earlier report were implemented. However, this is not enough. We must examine the support structures in place for the fire services and address the need for a national fire authority that would co-ordinate the work of the local authorities.

There are 99 fire service staff in County Wicklow. There were some 40 fatalities as a result of house fires in the State in 2005 and some 1,200 fires, a significant proportion, are caused by electrical faults. I call on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to initiate a review of the wiring of pre-1950 houses. This should be examined as part of an overall review of fire safety. I have no doubt the Minister will take on this responsibility.

Before the blame game begins, everybody must acknowledge that there has been a major investment in fire services. Notwithstanding yesterday's tragic events, it is not appropriate to claim no improvements have been made. I cannot agree with the comments on "Morning Ireland" of a spokesperson for the fire services in Wicklow to the effect that firemen like large fires. It is the job of firefighters to ensure fires do not occur. I hope this person will reflect on her comments, which were entirely inappropriate.