asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to make employers' liability insurance compulsory so as to avoid the situation where workers do not receive compensation due to the fact that certain employers are inadequately insured for employers' liability.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employers' Liability Insurance.
18.
I have no immediate plans for legislation relating to employers' liability insurance or other matters relating to compensation for injury at work. Currently I am having legislation drafted which is based on the main recommendations of the Barrington Commission of Inquiry on Safety, Health and Welfare at Work relating to the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in all workplaces. I intend to introduce this legislation in the Oireachtas this year. Existing legislation in the preventive area is clearly inadequate in many respects and I am, therefore, tackling that problem as a matter of priority.
I am aware of the many problems that exist for both workers and employers in relation to employers' liability insurance cover and compensation matters. The Barrington commission, as well as other bodies, examined the problem and, while recommending limited short term changes in the existing system, recognised that the long term solution of the problem should be studied further. As I already informed the Oireachtas, the issues involved are complex and will need to be examined thoroughly by the relevant Departments of State, and by all the other interests concerned before legislative initiatives in this area can be brought forward.
Employers' liability is obviously affecting the safety of workers because of the massive costs involved. Could the Minister say if proposals to rectify this will be brought forward during the summer and if discussions will take place with the insurance industry because a large number of employers cannot afford the prohibitive costs of insurance? Could this be dealt with as a matter of urgency?
I note the Deputy's remarks.
We are now moving to priority questions.