Vol. 402 No. 8
10 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Labour the reason Ireland has failed to ratify the International Labour Organisation Convention 13 of 1921 which restricts the use of white lead in paints on account of its toxic effects; and if he will obtain the approval of the Government to ratify the Convention.
The reason Ireland has not ratified ILO Convention 13 of 1921 is that the existing legislative provisions in force provide more comprehensive protection than is provided in the Convention, which is narrowly based and is now out-dated. The Convention relates only to the protection of workers from exposure to two compounds of lead, while the provisions contained in current legislation, notably the general requirements of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the detailed regulations giving effect to the EC Directive on lead, and a range of separate regulations under the Safety in Industry Acts, 1955 and 1980, protect workers against all compounds of lead.
I am advised by the Health and Safety Authority that the existing legislative provisions, both EC and national, provide adequate protection for all workers exposed to lead at work, and that ratification of the 1921 Convention would have no positive benefit in Ireland.
I accept the Minister's statement that the legislation meets the needs of all workers exposed to lead at work. Is the Minister satisfied that the legislation is sufficiently well publicised and that we can be assured that no worker is being exposed through ignorance, lack of knowledge or denial of information on the legislation?
In relation to that and the area of health and safety at work we are well ahead and are up to EC standards. For the information of the House, the convention referred to in the question applies to specific compounds of lead which our legislation provides for the protection of workers against all kinds of lead. The authority have informed me — but this is not relevant — that white lead is not used in paints here.
We now come to deal with Question No. 12 in the name of Deputy Proinsias De Rossa.
