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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health and Safety Regulations.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

122 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to publish the long-promised legislation to increase penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation, especially having regard to the continuing number of accidents in the construction industry; if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the trade union movement, especially those representing construction workers, at the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18448/03]

Legislative proposals to repeal and amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 have been developed at departmental level and are the subject of legal drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I am aware of concerns being raised in certain quarters about the delay in publishing the Bill. While drafting is at an advanced stage of development, I would emphasise that legislative proposals involve a detailed revision of the current legislative framework dealing with occupational health and safety.

Consultations between officials of my Department and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel are ongoing, and I expect to be in a position to introduce a safety, health and welfare at work Bill in the autumn of this year. The legislative proposals focus, in particular, on the issues of offences, penalties, safety representation, safety training and safety management and the proposed introduction of a range of penalties both for summary prosecutions and for prosecutions on indictment.
There have, of course, already been legislative amendments in the form of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2001, which specifically target work practices and standards in the construction sector. Further amendments to these regulations are currently being developed.
With the introduction of these revised construction regulations and with the provision of associated training, advisory, inspection and enforcement services the State continues to play its role in the effort to improve health and safety standards in the construction sector. A revised and updated Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 will further strengthen the legislative base and will be of benefit to all sectors of employment, including the construction sector.
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