Vol. 442 No. 2
9 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will implement Directive 93/88 EEC regarding the threat to workers arising from exposure to biological hazards at work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Draft regulations have been prepared under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 to implement the directive referred to by the Deputy. These are being examined at present with a view to signature by the Minister in the near future.
The signing into effect of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations, 1994 implementing these two Directives will bring to 16 the number of EC directives in the occupational safety and health and dangerous substances area transposed into Irish legislation so far this year.
As accidents in Irish industry happen more frequently than elsewhere, will the Minister assure the House that we have met all deadlines laid down by this directive and that we are not slipping behind in the implementation of its provisions?
I assure the Deputy that we have met the deadlines and are not slipping in regard to our commitment to those regulations.
