asked the Minister for Labour regarding the leaving unattended in vehicles of toxic chemicals in public places and the number of prosecutions which have taken place under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972, or regulation 2 of the Dangerous Substances, (Conveyance of Scheduled Substances by Road) (Trade or Business) Regulations, 1980, the nature and number of each such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dangerous Substances.
172.
No cases have been established, to date, for prosecution under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972 as regards the leaving unattended in vehicles of toxic chemicals in public places in contravention of Regulation 12 which is the relevant Regulation of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance of Scheduled Substances by Road) (Trade or Business) Regulations (S.I. No. 235 of 1980).
The chemical industry and the carriers and drivers associated with it have been advised of their responsibilities under the conveyance regulations. The free guide to the regulations produced by my Department has been widely distributed. In addition, the Federation of Irish Chemical Industries has produced and circulated to its members a code of practice on the transport of hazardous chemicals by road and the parking of vehicles containing such chemicals on the journey. The conveyance regulations are actively enforced by the industrial inspectorate of my Department. Any complaints about unsafe parking of vehicles containing hazardous chemicals would be investigated promptly by the industrial inspectorate.