Vol. 576 No. 5
71 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made in her consideration of the recommendation made in the recent discussion paper from the Law Reform Commission that there should be a new offence created of corporate killing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29910/03]
I recently welcomed the publication of the consultation paper on corporate killing by the Law Reform Commission. This paper is particularly timely as the drafting of new health and safety legislation at the workplace is almost complete. I am studying the recommendations closely and I also look forward to the final views of the commission once the consultation procedure, which it has initiated, is complete.
In parallel, my Department is also discussing with the Office of the Attorney General the inclusion of a provision on corporate manslaughter in the new health and safety at work legislation currently being drafted. I am hopeful that it will be possible to provide in the new health and safety at work Bill for a new offence of corporate killing subject to the further views of the Law Reform Commission on foot of their consideration of the means and scope of such an offence.
