Vol. 287 No. 7
asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to reports regarding the dangers of work in oil-related industries which indicate that fatalities among workers on offshore rigs are ten times as great as those in coal mining; if he considers it appropriate to ensure that medical teams are organised and trained at the present time to cope with emergencies that may arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
5.
asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to reports regarding the dangers of work in oil-related industries which indicate that fatalities among workers on offshore rigs are ten times as great as those in coal mining; if he will initiate legislation immediately to ensure that minimum safety standards are laid down to minimise the risk of such fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
I presume the Deputy has in mind a report on the medical implications of oil related industry, references to which appeared in the Press some time ago.
Measures aimed at ensuring the safety, health and welfare of workers engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration, call for legislation separate from statutes at present administered by me. I am, accordingly, preparing draft heads of a Bill to cover the safety, health and welfare of workers engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration. What I shall be aiming at will be legislation of an enabling character under which I can make a series of regulations governing specific matters including, where appropriate, those of the type mentioned by the Deputy, with flexibility to deal with possible changes that may take place in such matters as working procedures or techniques.
I have set up a working party on the manpower and training implications of offshore oil and gas development. I cannot, at present, say what this working party might have to report in regard to medical personnel. I shall of course be in contact with the Minister for Health on the matter.
The Minister will be aware that I put down these two questions to two separate Ministers: Question No. 4 to the Minister for Health and Question No. 5, probably incorrectly, to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. There are two separate issues here. One, in view of the dangerous work involved on rigs in North Sea oil exploration, a panel of doctors should be drawn up. My second point deals with the Employment Acts which may be under his jurisdiction now. Assuming the exploration is successful, how will he proceed in these matters?
I would act under the lease issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Act, 1960. I hope to have legislation ready shortly.
Has the Minister received any report from the group set up by him?
No.
Would he not regard this as a matter of urgency, particularly in view of the far reaching statement made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce last weekend in Cork?
I will ask for the interim report to be made available as soon as possible.
