Vol. 544 No. 3
143 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended to introduce legislation to increase fines for employers who breach safety rules in the construction industry and elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28653/01]
The review of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 was completed by the board of the Health and Safety Authority in April 2001. Arising from this review, legislative proposals to strengthen and update the 1989 Act are now being developed at departmental level. These proposals are at an advanced stage of development. As I outlined in my speech to the National Irish Safety Organisation annual conference, it is my intention to address a number of pertinent issues in this context, such as the issues of offences and penalties, with a view to strengthening those provisions. A strengthened and updated Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, will of course be of benefit to all sectors of employment.
All such proposals will, of course, be subject to the normal process of legal drafting, consultation with the social partners, approval by Government and passage through the Legislature. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to be precise about the exact timing of enactment.
