Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010
69 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any publicity campaign is planned to highlight the importance of health and safety practices on farms over the summer months in view of the fact that already 11 deaths have occurred on farms here in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21995/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply concerned with the level of safety on our farms. This year 11 people have already died as a result of accidents on Irish farms. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national body in Ireland that is responsible for the promotion and enforcement of workplace health and safety.
I fully support the efforts made by the HSA to promote the importance of health and safety practices on farms. The Farm Safety Action Plan 2009-2012, developed by the HSA and Farm Safety Partnership (FSP), identifies 7 goals to prevent farm accidents and fatalities. Goal 1 is to ‘raise national awareness of occupational safety and health in agriculture’. This goal lists 23 Actions to promote and raise awareness of farm health and safety and is it is a sustained campaign by all members of the FSP. As part of this goal, my Department has committed to issuing relevant and timely farm safety press releases. I recently attended a meeting with my colleague Dara Calleary, the Minister for Labour Affairs, and the farm organisations. As a result of this meeting I have given a further commitment to facilitate the HSA to distribute their promotional health and safety mail-shots to farmers.
