HSA to publish Fire Services Statement of Principles

14/10/2011

Peadar Tóibín TD (SF) has asked the Minister for Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, if he was aware of various local authority and fire chiefs seeking an indemnity in cases where there has been a fatality involving a member of the public or of the fire services.

Speaking the the Dáil on Tuesday, 11th October 2011, Mr. Tóibín asked the  Minister if it had been drawn to the Minister’s attention that city and county managers, chief fire officers and assistant chief fire officers were seeking changes to legislation in order to indemnify themselves against any fatalities involving members of the public and/or members of the fire services.

Answering the question, Mr. Bruton said that it was his understanding that the fire services had been in contact with the HSA and that the HSA is finalising a Statement of Principles document regarding the Safety, Health and Welfare duties of the fire services.  Mr. Bruton explained that matters such as this did not fall within his remit but were a matter for the local authority. The Minister also said that the matter may be of interest to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The matter of responsibilities of fire chiefs and others connected with the fire services was highlighted during recent court proceedings concerning the death of 2 fire fighters in Bray in 2007.  Mark O’Shaughnessy and Brian Murray were killed whilst tackling a fire at a disused warehouse on the Lower Dargle Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow in September of that year.

The summary of the Dáil debate can be read here.

No date was given for the publishing of the HSA’s “Fire Services Statement of Principles”.

HSA to publish Fire Services Statement of Principles

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