Vol. 500 No. 4
60 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a person (details supplied) was not re-appointed to the board of the Health and Safety Authority, particularly having regard to his efforts to highlight safety shortcomings in the construction industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4137/99]
The board of the Health and Safety Authority consists of a chairman and ten ordinary members. Three of these members are nominated by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation to represent employer interests and three are nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to represent employee interests. The chairman and the remaining four ordinary members are nominated by the Minister with responsibility for occupational health and safety. Members of the board are appointed for a three year period and the term of office of the last board of the Authority expired on the 10 December.
I should point out to the Deputy that in the context of appointing a new board of the Authority, a number of changes were made. As Minister I must take full account of the large remit of areas for which the Health and Safety Authority now has responsibility and I must also give due consideration that all the board appointees should represent as broad a range of interests as possible.
Prior to the expiration of the term of office of the previous board I received a number of letters and representations from various people and groups requesting that they themselves be appointed to the new board or requesting that consideration be given to the appointment of named individuals. I wish to state categorically that I was not lobbied by any organisation, nor did I receive any representations, to the effect that any individual should not be reappointed to the board.
I would like to assure the Deputy that both I and the Authority will continue to afford priority attention to safety in the construction sector.
