Firefighters are calling for an extensive fire risk audit of recently built public and residential properties.

It follows the discovery of deficiencies in safety standards at several schools.

SIPTU full-time and retained firefighter representatives say the fire risk audit is "urgent".

The union's community division organiser, John King, said: "The problem of possible serious deficiencies in fire safety standards in recently built public and residential buildings has been one which has greatly concerned our members for some time.

"Recent reports of deficiencies in fire safety in several schools built within the last 10 years is yet another example of the legacy of 'soft touch' and self-regulation building standards which were introduced during the so-called Celtic Tiger era.

"These cases further highlight the urgent requirement for a thorough, comprehensive and wide-ranging fire risk audit to be conducted across a whole range of public and residential buildings built within the last ten years, along with a full risk assessment of their surrounding areas."

He said SIPTU members in the fire service have been seeking such an audit "for some time".

They called for an audit in July in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London, having met the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

Mr King added: "SIPTU representatives have also sought from Dublin City Council and several other local authorities a list of all the buildings over which there is a concern about deficiencies relating to building regulations and fire standards. We are still awaiting these lists."

A high-level task force was set up to assess fire safety in Ireland back in June.

Minister Murphy has tasked the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management with coordinating the group.

Mr Murphy had also asked local authorities to review fire safety in multi-storey social housing.