Vol. 477 No. 1
103 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the damage being caused to the food industry by the ongoing industrial action of the environmental health officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8449/97]
123 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the inspection of food premises throughout the country by health officers; whether it is possible that no inspections have been carried out on premises over the past 12 months; the advice, if any, he can give to new food producers who are 12 months awaiting clearance to proceed; if these persons can proceed without the clearance of the health inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8630/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 123 together.
IMPACT, on behalf of environmental health officers, withdrew from negotiations which were being pursued under clause 2 (iii) — annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and pursued industrial action in the form of a “work-to-rule” with effect from 15 January 1996. This has resulted in environmental health officers not co-operating with the implementation of any legislation which has been enacted since 1981 and not carrying out any duties outside normal working hours.
Based on pre-1981 food hygiene and safety legislation, environmental health officers have continued to undertake inspections of food premises since the commencement of this dispute. If, arising from an inspection, it is considered that there is a risk to public health, the health boards have made arrangements with the trade union that the appropriate measures be put in place. This procedure has been availed of on a number of occasions and has ensured that any risk to public health has been kept under control.
Under the food hygiene regulations, persons who commence certain types of food business are obliged to apply to the health board for registration of their premises. Having received legal advice, health boards consider that they are unable to process applications which have been received during the dispute for the registration of these types of food premises. Accordingly, applicants are informed by health boards that they cannot consider their premises registered and that the health board will get in touch with them when the dispute is resolved. In the meantime, I understand these premises are subject to inspection by environmental health officers.
