Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on fire safety in apartment buildings; his further views on new fire protection regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10222/09]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and Building Regulations 1997- 2008 include a range of provisions for fire safety in the design, construction, operation and management of buildings (including apartments). Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 sets out the fire safety requirements to be observed in the design and construction of certain buildings including apartment complexes.

Section 18 of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended, places a duty on persons having control over premises, such as apartment complexes, to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire. The Section also places a duty on people on such premises to conduct themselves in such as way as to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, other people on the premises are not exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of any act or omission of theirs. Section 22 of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended, empowers fire authorities to inspect any land or building, including apartment complexes, for the purpose of the Act, including enforcement of fire safety matters.

The preparation of legislation on management companies for apartment complexes is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.