I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment and I thank the Minister for coming into the House to reply.
The annual report of the Health and Safety Authority, which was published last week, informed us that 70 people died in 1998 as a result of accidents at work and 6,512 workplace accidents occurred. In the words of the chairman of the authority, these figures are totally unacceptable. While 26 deaths occurred in the agricultural sector, 22 people died last year on building sites. The report of the authority is well presented but there is a litany of neglect. I do not intend to go into that in detail – the Minister has the report and he knows what I am talking about.
One death at work is a death too many. Each accident that occurs in the workplace is an accident that should have been prevented. The heartbreak, pain and suffering that occurs after each accident affects hundreds of families and can last for years. Indeed, the pain and suffering as a result of a death of a loved one at work may never end for those left behind. The cold statistics in this report do not tell the full story.
I want to turn to the situation in the construction sector. There were 22 deaths in 1998, 12 so far this year, and 92 since 1994. I acknowledge that both the trade unions and the Construction Industry Federation are very concerned and many companies have committed considerable resources to raise awareness and improve safety on building sites. Where companies take safety seriously we find accidents are either very few or eliminated altogether. Employees and employers must take safety seriously. Many do but where carelessness and dangerous practices exist and lives are put at risk, it is the duty of the State, as represented by the Health and Safety Authority, to intervene and take whatever action is necessary to prevent accidents and deaths. In order to intervene effectively, the Health and Safety Authority must be provided with the resources to do its job properly. I understand it has approximately 65 inspectors to monitor every industry in the State. The Minister might correct me, but it is my understanding that only seven of these inspectors are engaged in the construction industry. When asked on the radio recently the number of inspectors working in the construction industry the Minister said that there are 135 in total work ing in the HSA, he did not answer the question properly. Perhaps he will tell us tonight the number of inspectors who are engaged in the construction industry.
The 1998 figures indicate that there are 138,000 workers in the industry. It is the job of the Minister to ensure that the HSA has the resources to do its work properly and he should acknowledge that it is under-resourced. I must acknowledge the excellent work being done by the staff of the HSA on meagre resources. It is not the fault of the people of the HSA if safety on some sites is neglected. It is my understanding that the staff in the HSA are stretched to the limit.
The Minister talks about having discussions. Instilling a sense of responsibility and using words like "co-operation" and "partnership" are all very well, but the contractor who cuts costs by neglecting safety and who is able as a result to undercut his competitors is playing a very dangerous game and is putting pressure on other builders to do the same. The employee who disregards mandatory safety measures is a danger to himself and to others and should either change his ways or be barred from construction sites.
It is the role of the HSA to advise and supervise with regard to health and safety matters on sites, but it cannot do that without resources. At least 40 inspectors with back-up staff should be dedicated to the construction alone. The HSA would then have the wherewithal to carry out its statutory functions as required under the law. If the Minister does not fight his corner at the Cabinet table in order to radically increase the resources of the HSA, the Government must shoulder much of the blame for the deaths and accidents that may occur in the future in the construction industry. The Minister will no longer get away with blaming employers or employees in order to cover up his own inaction.
This issue is too serious for fancy words and flowery speeches by the Minister, it is a matter of life and death for many people. The Government has no excuse. It has the money. Window dressing will no longer be enough. It is time for real action. I challenge the Minister to put his money where his mouth is and take action now. Give the HSA the resources and I am sure it will deliver. If that is done many deaths will be avoided and injuries prevented. The terrible heartache that many families experience will not occur in the future if the Minister moves to ensure that one of our largest industries is a safer one in the years ahead.
