asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to update industrial safety regulations with a view to reducing industrial accidents and the incidence of occupational disease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Safety Regulations.
5.
Updating industrial safety regulations is a constant activity in the work of my Department. Changes in production methods, the development of new materials and processes, increased knowledge arising from research into the causes of accidents and industrial diseases necessitate a constant review of operating conditions in factories, and the consequent modernisation of existing regulations or the making of new ones.
Since February 1973, 18 sets of regulations have been promulgated, some new, others replacing out-ofdate regulations. During the coming year it is proposed to make 21 further sets of regulations.
Would the Minister indicate in what areas these 21 new regulations will be made?
I do not have the details of the new regulations. These are, as the Deputy is aware, amalgamations of previous regulations and they are really very detailed and minute areas of regulation procedure. I do not have but of course I can get, the areas where regulations are intended.