asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the recent tragedy in Bhopal involving industrial chemicals, he has any plans to update regulations governing the use of industrial chemicals in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Dangerous Substances Regulations.
96.
My Department is giving priority to the finalisation of draft regulations to implement the EC Council Directive 82/501/EEC of 24 June 1982 on the major accident hazards of certain industrial activities (the Seveso Directive) following consultation with the other Departments concerned and the Dangerous Substances Advisory Council.
The directive is concerned with the prevention of major accidents resulting from a range of industrial activities involving the use of dangerous chemicals and with limiting their consequences for man and the environment. The directive imposes duties on manufacturers and on the State. Manufacturers are required to identify major accident hazards, to draw up plans both for the safe operation of the plant and for dealing with any malfunction that might arise and to provide evidence that these requirements have been met. Member states are obliged to set up a competent authority or authorities which will be responsible for receiving and examining this evidence and ensuring that an emergency plan be drawn up for action outside the installations concerned. The directive also requires that persons liable to be affected by a major accident be informed in an appropriate manner of the safety measures and the correct behaviour to adopt in the event of an accident. The proposed regulations, when they come into operation, will supplement the existing legislative measures, namely Dangerous Substances Acts and regulations, which are enforced by my Department and which cover petroleum and other designated dangerous substances.