Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Jan 1989

Vol. 386 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Report Findings.

17.

Mr. Stagg

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has received, or if he intends to seek, a copy of the report outlining unexpected brain and blood cancers detected among research workers at Teagasc; if he will investigate the matter; if he will make a report available to the trade union representatives in Teagasc along with the conclusions of the investigation by Teagasc's management; the steps he will take to brief fully workers in Teagasc of any health risks arising from their work; the steps he will take to remove such health risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

33.

Mr. McCartan

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the investigations which are being carried out into the apparently exceptionally high levels of brain and blood related cancers among research workers at Teagasc; if any new safety precautions or procedures are being introduced pending the outcome of any investigation; the reason staff at Teagasc were not advised that research had disclosed the exceptionally high levels of these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

42.

Mr. Gibbons

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the contents of a three year old report by a person (details supplied); and the reason the staff of Teagasc were never informed of these findings.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 33 and 42 together.

I have been advised by Teagasc in this matter and the position is as follows:

In November 1985, An Foras Talúntais requested the Medico-Social Research Board to carry out a study of the appearently high number of cancer deaths among its staff. Dr. Geoffrey Dean undertook a preliminary study and reported to An Foras Talúntais in April 1986 that, among the 28 staff who died between 1958 and 1986, 11 died from cancer. Three of these deaths were from leukaemia, one from Hodgkin's Disease and four from primary brain cancer. The report did not establish any link between the cancer deaths and working conditions in An Foras Talúntais.

In August 1986, Dr. Dean proposed a further study of the problem and An Foras Talúntais established a committee, which included three medical research experts to determine how best to proceed with the proposed study. One of these experts reported in April 1987 that he could not then find a common thread within the Hodgkin's leukaemia group or the brain tumour group. The committee recommended that An Foras Talúntais should await the results of related US research and that contact be made with European research bodies. As a consequence, contact was made with agricultural research organisations in France, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK.

In light of these contacts, and on the committee's advice, An Foras Talúntais decided that the best way of progressing the study was to link up formally with a proposed UK study of cancer incidences among research staff in laboratories. The An Foras Talúntais data on the subject were made available for the UK study. Teagasc intend to act on whatever relevant findings emerge from the US and UK studies following full consultation with the staff interests.

In relation to disclosure of information, An Foras Talúntais took the view that, as Dr. Dean's findings simply established the causes of death of the staff concerned, detailed discussions with staff should await the outcome of the studies being undertaken elsewhere. Meanwhile, Teagasc is taking all necessary steps to ensure that proper health and safety standards continue to be maintained.

Mr. Stagg

Would the Minister agree that it is deplorable that the findings of this study, which was made available in 1986, were not made available to the workers, who were not made aware of the possible risks to their own safety? Would the Minister use his good offices to insist that the findings of this study be made available by Teagasc? The view has been expressed that the base is too narrow and in view of this I ask the Minister to see to it, following the request made by the Academy of Medical Laboratory Sciences that the 1,000 workers which they represent also be included? The safety and confidence of the workers is at stake and it is important to act swiftly.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I agree that the safety and confidence of the workers has to be the top, if not exclusive, priority for us. It is for this reason that consultations were held with all of the most reputable research organisations and the report was linked with studies carried out in other countries such as France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom. There was a need for Teagasc to gather all of the available information and data from the most reputable and professional organisations and to consult with them. It was for that reason that no conclusive decision was called for at the time the report emerged, as at that time, no direct link had been established. Having said that, let us acknowledge, as Teagasc do, that this matter requires the most detailed examination by Teagasc. There is constant medical supervision and analysis and I can assure the Deputy that the health and safety of the workers is of top priority.

Mr. Stagg

Let me ask one final supplementary question. Would the Minister agree possibly in consultation with his colleague, the Minister for Health, to include the 1,000 laboratory and research workers represented by the Academy of Medical Laboratory Sciences in the studies which are taking place? The possible dangers are not confined to the agricultural area.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I will consult with my colleague.

Mr. McCartan

A Cheann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Doyle was offering.

Mr. McCartan

Question No. 33 in my name is being taken with Question No. 17.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is quite in order.

Mr. McCartan

Can the Minister tell us whether his predecessor or the Department of Agriculture and Food were made fully aware of the findings of this report, preliminary though they were, in 1986?

Mr. O'Kennedy

It is not the practice for bodies such as this to make the Department aware of all studies they conduct or of all issues affecting their staff. As soon as any apprehension was expressed I sought a full report from the director of Teagasc. I have had a very detailed report and I am satisfied that the director and the chairman of Teagasc will keep me fully briefed on the programme to ensure the health and safety of their staff. I am equally satisfied that the precautions they are taking meet the highest standards of any country.

Mr. McCartan

The inference I draw from the Minister's response is that Teagasc or its predecessor did not advise the Department and that the Department were not aware until this House became aware of what was developing. Would the Minister accept, with hindsight, that such an investigation should have been brought to the attention of the Minister and the Department at the time? Also, given the broad concerns and worries particularly for staff in Teagasc, would the Minister agree that the time has come to have an urgent meeting to discuss what new procedures and safety precautions might be taken on an interim basis while this matter is being fully investigated?

Mr. O'Kennedy

The Deputy will appreciate that my responsibilities relate to such matters as are required now and in the future. I am glad to tell the Deputy that having had full consultation with the board and directors of Teagasc I am satisfied that the most extensive surveys are being conducted with international organisations, and that the health and safety standards being implemented in Teagasc are in line with or better than those applied in any other research area in the world. I assure the Deputy, and particularly the members of the staff of Teagasc, that I will continue to liaise with the staff and directors of Teagasc to ensure that those standards are maintained.

Mrs. Doyle

Will the Minister indicate the locations at which the research workers in question were based?

Mr. O'Kennedy

I am not aware of that. It does not arise directly from the question.