Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to set up the national fire, civil protection emergencies services authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2193/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 298 to 300, inclusive, and 316 to 319, inclusive, on 15 December 2004. As indicated in that reply, I intend shortly to announce measures to implement the development of community fire safety programmes, the development of a risk-based approach to the determination of fire cover standards, the introduction of a competency based approach to recruitment, retention and career progression and the enhancement of health, safety and welfare programmes within the fire service. The priority objective as regards modernisation of the fire service is not to pursue further institutional change but to use the available resources to bring about direct improvements in these key areas identified in the review of fire safety and fire services in Ireland.