Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Liam Aylward

Question:

101 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the serious reservations held by members of the Defence Forces regarding the pooling of wet suits; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that wearing other people's clothing without proper cleaning and laundering may be in breach of the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, and in particular Statutory Instrument 44 of 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Where wet suits are in continuous regular use by individual members of the Defence Forces such as Naval Service divers, they are a personal issue. Wet suits are normally worn over a woollen total body garment. Therefore, as the woollen garment is directly next to the skin, the wet suit itself would not be considered to present any potential hygiene hazard. The woollen body garment requires washing by the individual who uses it, in accordance with normal practice. Where these woollen garments are not themselves a personal issue, the unit concerned is responsible for ensuring they are washed after use.

The military authorities advise that the Defence Forces Advisory Committee on Safety has not been made aware of any reservations on the part of Defence Force personnel in relation to current practices as described above.