Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 applies to the safety of existing buildings and the manner in which they are managed.

Investigations on the cause of fires that occur in car parks, or more generally in the case of arson, criminal damage, or unfortunately, injuries and fatalities, are carried out by An Garda Síochána.

Issues relating to the safety of electric consumer products including EVs, e-bikes, e-scooters comes under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Separately, a Steering Group on Fire Safety Research has been established by my Department to explore emerging fire safety issues in the context of the design and construction of new buildings and to work in collaboration with fire authorities to help inform the development of appropriate strategies and guidance.