Vol. 359 No. 8
asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied with current regulations relating to the transport of dangerous substances; and that sufficient measures are being taken to ensure public safety, having regard to recent events; if he can suggest any further precautions that might be taken to ensure against spillage of dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
88.
asked the Minister for Labour if he proposes to introduce any further restrictions on the transport of dangerous substances with particular reference to recent events; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together. The conveyance of dangerous substances by road and rail in this country must meet the safety requirements of sections 25 and 62 (1) of the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972. These statutory provisions require that all practicable steps to prevent risk of injury to persons or property shall be taken in the conveying, loading, unloading, storage, labelling and packing of dangerous substances. The provisions of the Act apply at present to petroleum and a list of 25 other substances declared to be dangerous under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972 (Part IV Declaration) Order, 1980. I propose to extend this list of 25 substances very shortly to include a far wider range of substances.
In so far as my Department is concerned, the transport of dangerous chemicals by road is controlled by the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance of Petroleum by Road) Regulations, 1979, the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance of Scheduled Substances by Road) (Trade or Business) Regulations, 1980, and the 1980 Declaration Order which I have already mentioned. This legislation provides for the protection of persons and property against the hazards associated with the transport of dangerous substances. Such protection includes the labelling of tanks, containers and packages, display by vehicles of appropriate warning signs, training of personnel, the selection where practicable, of routes which avoid areas of high population density and areas where contamination by a scheduled substance may affect water supplies and the action to be taken in the event of an incident involving those dangerous substances.
In order to ensure as far as possible that this legislation is complied with, the industrial inspectorate of my Department has been carrying out road checks on vehicles transporting dangerous chemicals by road. Training courses are being provided by AnCO for drivers of vehicles transporting dangerous substances to meet the training requirements specified in the Regulations. In regard to the transport of dangerous substances by rail, I am informed that the dangerous chemicals transported in this way are ammonia from Cork to Arklow and acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate from Dublin to Ballina. In addition, petrol is conveyed by rail occasionally.
Recommendations on the safety measures and operational procedures to govern the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail were adopted following in-depth studies and consultations committee out by an inter-departmental committee representing the Departments of Communications, Defence, Environment, Health, Justice, and my Department, the Garda Síochána, CIE, the IIRS and the companies concerned. CIE operate safety arrangements in regard to rail transport which conform to the international arrangements for the carriage of dangerous goods by rail. The Minister for Communications, who is responsible for the enforcement of these recommendations and the operation of these safety arrangements, is satisfied that current arrangements relating to the transport of dangerous substances by rail embody all reasonable and practical elements. Nevertheless, having regard to recent events, he is having another look at all aspects of the matter to see if improved controls are possible.
I am informed that the question of transporting acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate by sea to the Asahi plant was fully considered and was rejected due to the unsuitability of local ports to receive vessels of the size required and the hazards in regard to this type of transport arising from storms on the west coast in the winter. I am aware that the local emergency services, including the fire authorities, health boards and the Garda, have taken, and continue to take, measures to ensure an effective response to emergencies involving dangerous substances. The Department of the Environment have issued comprehensive guidelines to local authorities for dealing generally with emergencies.
