asked the Taoiseach if the Government propose to transfer the labour inspection duties relating to agricultural machinery, formerly exercised by the Royal Irish Constabulary, to the Factory Inspection Service of the Department of Labour.
Written Answers . - Labour Inspection Duties .
134.
: I understand that the inspection duties to which the Deputy's question refers arose under the Chaff-Cutting Machines (Accident) Act, 1897. As I indicated in my replies of the 19 October 1977 and the 23 May 1978, the administration of the Act is not assigned in statute to any Department and is not now administered, as such, by any Department. However, I understand that, following the enactment of the Safety in Industry Bill, the Minister for Labour intends to set up a working party to consider and make recommendations in regard to safety and, in this context, the position of agricultural workers will fall to be considered.