asked the Minister for Finance the level of asbestos contamination found in the basement of the College of Art section of the Houses of the Oireachtas (a) prior to the sealing of the basement and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.
Written Answers. - Leinster House Asbestos Contamination.
537.
(a) Readings in the general basement area of the Houses of the Oireachtas indicated levels at 0.05 fibres/c.c. (b) A test in the specific area carried out on 5 October 1984 after the asbestos insulation had been removed showed a reading between 0.04 and 0.06 fibres/c.c. These levels are the lowest detectable with the instruments used and are well within the standards of safety and health laid down by the current EC directive (0.5 fibres/c.c.) or the proposed new UK limit (0.2 fibres 1 c.c.).
538.
asked the Minister for Finance if all old asbestos insulation has been removed from the piping in the College of Art section of the Houses of the Oireachtas or in other sections of Leinster House; and, if not, the steps which have been taken to warn staff of the possible health risks involved for them.
All the old asbestos insulation has been removed from the pipework in the College of Art section and the area known as the lower basement of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is intended to remove and replace the asbestos insulation on the pipework in the remaining basement areas using recognised safety procedures and equipment. In the meantime the areas in question have been clearly marked and the workforce has been advised.