Health and Safety Regulations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 February 2010

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Questions (493)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

628 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and related semi-State companies have portable appliance test, PAT, certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6459/10]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

In my Department arrangements are in place to carry out portable appliance testing and the keeping of records for such tests in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations S.I. No. 299 of 2007. Such arrangements to state bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the bodies themselves as part of their day–to–day activities. In accordance with Department of Finance Public Finance Procedures the Exchequer carries its own insurance.