Vol. 527 No. 5
103 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions she has had with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in relation to the full implementation of Statutory Instrument No. 325, as it pertains to training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29013/00]
The national authority for occupational safety and health, the Health and Safety Authority, is the national body charged with overall responsibility under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, for the promotion, administration and enforcement of relevant statutory provisions in the area of occupational health and safety. The authority is an independent statutory agency under the aegis of my Department.
One such statutory provision is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Fishing Vessels) Regulations, 1999, Statutory Instrument No. 325 of 1999, which was prepared in consultation with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Enforcement of the provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 325 is divided between the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and the Health and Safety Authority in accordance with regulation 9 of the instrument.
I should point out that under the regulations the duty to provide training, as specified in the regulations, is firmly placed on employers in the first instance. However, in so far as the Health and Safety Authority's role in ensuring compliance with the regulations is concerned, the arrangements pertaining thereto is a day-to-day matter for the authority and not one in which I have a direct function.
I am advised, however, that the authority participates in a range of safety related initiatives under the auspices of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, including the preparation of training material. In the circumstances Deputy Keaveney might wish to make direct contact with the Health and Safety Authority for any further detailed information she may require.
