DUBLIN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The Irish government on Friday urged all local authorities to review multi-storey social housing units to ensure that all early warning systems, including alarm and detection systems and means of escape including corridors, stairways and emergency exist are fully functional and in place.
The urgent action came after the Grenfell Tower fire in London, in which at least 30 people died, with fears for dozens more.
Eoghan Murphy, the newly appointed minister for housing, planning and local government, said one of his first priorities has been taking immediate action to ensure life safety for all citizens living in flats and apartments in Ireland.
Given that many social housing units are located in private complexes managed by private management companies, the Irish minister requested each local authority to satisfy itself that all these management companies have the required fire safety arrangements in place.
Meanwhile, public broadcaster RTE quoted Kevin Hollingsworth, a chartered surveyor, as saying that the London tragedy could happen in Ireland.
He was quoted as saying that there has been widespread non-compliance with the approved fire safety certificates.
