Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
177. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions brought under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 for fatalities and accidents at work since the enactment of these Acts; and the number of such prosecutions which resulted in convictions. [12738/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that statistics of the nature requested by the Deputy are not maintained by the Courts Service. I am informed that, at present, this information could only be compiled by the examination of each individual court case which would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time.
As the Deputy will be aware the initiation of a prosecution under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority which reports to the Minister for Jobs Innovation and Enterprise. Further information on its role, and functions, together with, I understand, some information on enforcement by the Authority, is available on the Health and Safety Authority's website.
