asked the Minister for Labour if he proposes to introduce regulations in relation to the use and storage of liquid petroleum gas.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Liquid Petroleum Gas Storage .
18.
: Liquified petroleum gas has been declared a dangerous substance under the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972. It is covered, therefore, by sections 25 and 62 (1) of the Act. Section 25 provides that a person engaged in the storage, labelling, packing or conveyance of a dangerous substance shall take all practicable steps to prevent risk of injury to person or property. Section 62 (1) provides that all practicable steps to prevent risk of injury to person or property shall be taken in the conveying, loading and unloading of a dangerous substance.
Regulations have been made under the Act which cover the conveyance by road of LPG. Regulations under the Act relating to the storage of petroleum also prohibit delivery, storage and retaining of LPG in petroleum stores unless specificially authorised. I propose to make further regulations prescribing protective measures against risk of injury to person or property in the loading, unloading and storage of LPG.
: Is the Minister aware that a serious disagreement arose recently between a chief fire officer and representatives of the liquid petroleum gas industry? Is he checking a statement made that regulations in use here are far inferior to regulations adopted in Britain and the United States?
: As I have indicated, the situation is covered by the Dangerous Substances Act and the regulations made under it. I propose to look at the matter again and to make further regulations prescribing additional protective measures against risk of injury to person or property.
: Will the Minister state his views on the proposal to store liquid petroleum gas underground in Dublin Bay? What action, if any, do the Government propose to take to prevent that proposal being proceeded with?
: That is a different question.
: It is linked directly to Question No. 18 which refers to the storage of liquid petroleum gas.
: The Department of Labour have no function in relation to this matter for the time being. It is a matter for the Department of Transport and An Bord Pleanála.