Ruairí Quinn
Question:166 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour the action he has taken to date to advance Ireland's Green Presidency of the EC Council, as promised by the Taoiseach in January 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Presidency Programme.
General environmental issues do not specifically come within my area of responsibility as President of the Council of Social Affairs Ministers. However, two draft directives on occupational safety and health measures which I have selected as priorities to be progressed during the Irish Presidency have significant implications for the improvement of the working environment.
The first directive — on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work — is designed to ensure that workplaces where carcinogenic substances may be present are carefully monitored and that a range of measures is taken to prevent or reduce exposure of workers to these substances. The second — on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work — would specify various protective requirements which must be undertaken where biological agents are present in the workplace.