asked the Minister for Labour if he has received the report from the Commission on Safety in Industry; if so, when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety in Industry.
15.
The report of the Commission of Inquiry on Safety, Health and Welfare at Work was published on 21 February 1984. The Minister and I are studying the report closely with a view to making proposals to the Government as soon as possible. Because of the wide range of matters dealt with by the commission, I would urge employers, workers, safety practitioners, specialists and any others who are concerned with the promotion of occupational safety and health to study the report also.
Since this report was published I do not think we have seen any copies of it even though there have been newspaper references as to its contents. Does the Minister propose to circulate the report to Deputies? Further, will he give an indication of the broad measures he intends to introduce? Does he intend to follow the recommendations of the commission? Will he give some indication with regard to any new legislation he intends to introduce?
My understanding is that copies were made available to Deputies. Following a Government decision to that effect, the report was laid before the House. If for some reason or other some Deputies have not got copies I will guarantee to make them available. Specifically I will see to it that Deputy Daly gets a copy within the next 24 hours. The commission's report was very comprehensive. In all there are up to 70 individual recommendations. Those recommendations were described by those who participated in the committee as being a negotiated consensus. The Government have indicated their determination to study the report very speedily, to invite comments from those who have made submissions and from other interested parties, and, following that, to consider what action may be appropriate. The whole tone and tenor of the report was to emphasise that this is not solely a legal problem, that we should not always look for more regulations, ever more stringently enforced. The major message of the report was that safety at work begins in the workplace and the report is as much directed to management and workers as it is to Government. In concentrating on the Government's response we should not ignore the fact that others have been addressed by the commission and they must respond also.
I agree with the Minister but the commission identified clearly the specific areas that need urgent attention. Do I take it that the Government intend to have another round of communication, consultations and invitations to people to discuss an issue which has been dealt with by the commission? Is this not a further delaying tactic by the Government to avoid taking the necessary legislative action to deal with the serious issues raised in the report?
The Government have suggested that perhaps it would be appropriate to give a period of two or three months to those affected by the report to allow them an opportunity to comment and to put their views. While that time is available to the interested bodies, the Government will not be standing idly by. They will analyse what are the legislative and administrative implications and what structural changes would be required to give effect to the commission's report. At the end of three months the Government will be in a position to give an indication of what action they propose to take on foot of the report.
Will the Minister give any indication of the areas it is intended to deal with and will he give an indication of how the procedure will be followed from now on? The Minister should bear in mind that the new European changes that are taking place may necessitate further measures.
I anticipated that over the next two or three months interested parties, those affected or those who have made submissions, will have an opportunity to consider the consensus that emerged at the Commission and to put their views. At the same time we will seek the views and comments of other Government Departments. At the expiry of that two month period, or thereabouts, we will be in a position to indicate how the Government propose to react to the Commission.
Is the Minister satisfied that a sufficient number of industrial inspectors are employed by the Department of Labour to see to it that the regulations in existence are enforced?
That is a separate question.
It arises directly from the question under discussion because the Minister has told the House that one of the conclusions of the report is that rather than proceeding to make further regulations we should consider the position that exists and see to it that existing regulations are properly enforced. Is the Minister satisfied that there are sufficient inspectors employed to see to it that the regulations are enforced?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is a separate question. The question under discussion asks about the report and when it is to be published.
Although it is a separate question I am delighted to be able to tell the Deputy that, notwithstanding the general embargo that exists on public service recruitment, the Government, because of the emphasis they place on improving occupational safety and health, have exceptionally augmented the number of industrial inspectors and occupational medical personnel.
Will the Minister agree that there are a large number of vacancies in the Department for inspectors and that these will not be filled for some time?
We are away chasing another hare now.
I have indicated that we have departed from the normal public sector recruitment policy that applies simply because we regard this as an area of importance. We substantially increased the number of inspectors.
Does the Minister agree that many vacancies exist?
I do not.