DONEGAL’S Fire Service has faced fresh criticism over the “red tape” businesses have to go through to secure a safety certificate.
Speaking at a meeting in Lifford on Monday, Councillor Michéal Naughton described the bureaucracy as “lunacy” and said it was leaving some businesses teetering on the edge of closure.
But Donegal’s Chief Fire Officer, Joe McTaggart, said the Fire Service was duty bound to adhere to standards and codes of practice laid down by the government.
Councillor Naughton said, “In terms of jobs, the creation of jobs and keeping businesses afloat, the Fire Service needs to apply more common sense.
Councillor Michéal Naughton described the current situation as “lunacy”.
“As a business person myself, we are well aware of our responsibilities and role in terms of the safety of the people on our premises and the need to uphold the law. But some of the requirements and red tape we are faced with, it is close to ridiculous. For example, as we sit here in this chamber in Lifford and with these bolts on the doors, if I put those bolts on my premises I would be turned down. It’s just lunacy.”
Cllr Naughton said he knew of one business owner who had been rejected for certification because a door was millimetres outside the required standard.
“We are being held to ransom,” he said.
“No one wants to take shortcuts but it is this small stuff that is causing serious issues.”
Councillor Ciaran Brogan has previously criticised the difficulty business owners face when seeking a fire certificate. And he reiterated his concerns at Monday’s Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) meeting.
“I have first hand experience of this and I know business people are finding it very challenging.
“This is an economic development SPC and it is important we have everyone working together as a team. But there is a feeling that Donegal is coming too heavily with the requirements that are being asked of people.”
Donegal fire chief Joe McTaggart.
Mr McTaggert said it was important to recognise the contribution made by businesses to the county’s economy. But he said the standards his staff have to adhere to are in place for a reason.
“The Fire Service in terms of safety operates under standards and codes of practice and we are constricted by that,” he said.
“But that said, if a door had to be taken off because of a few millimetres, I would have concerns.
“But the standards are there for two reasons, not just to protect the users of the buildings but also to protect the firefighters who have to go into these buildings.”
Mr McTaggert added that if any public representative wanted to speak to him directly, his door was always open.
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