Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Written Answers. - Condition of ESB Dublin Premises.

Mervyn Taylor

Ceist:

118 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Labour if an inspector from his Department has carried out an investigation and examination at the ESB premises, Ringsend A Station, Dublin following a complaint about asbestos at this location with consequent danger to staff; when such an inspection was carried out; the findings from same; whether further inquiries are intended; the safety position at these premises in light of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

119 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Labour if the de-lagging of asbestos from four boilers at the ESB Station at Ringsend, Dublin 4 will, in all its aspects, including removal, storage and disposal, be carried out in conformity with the relevant legislation; if the present maintenance crew and the previous workforce have been exposed to asbestos dust from damaged lagging; and if the workforce will be entitled to a full medical check-up to ascertain if there are any effects resulting from exposure.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.

The issues raised by the Deputies relate to the day to day activities of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health and I suggest that they seek this information directly from the Authority.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, provided the legal basis for the new occupational safety and health system and for the establishment of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health. The principal functions of the Authority are set out in the Act and these include monitoring and enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions.

The purpose behind the establishment of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies such as the Authority to carry out executive functions of Government is to provide the optimum degree of flexibility and freedom and to relieve Ministers of responsibility for the decisions which the boards and staffs of these bodies take in the course of day-to-day administration of their responsibilities. I will remain answerable to the Dáil for the overall policies relating to the Authority including the legislation under which it operates and the Exchequer allocations provided to it.