Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2017
254. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the statutory role the Health and Safety Authority has for ensuring the health and safety of recreational users on fairground equipment, fair grounds and roller coasters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6600/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current regulatory framework in place to ensure the health and safety of users as well as public safety on fairground and funfair equipment and roller coasters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6603/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 257 together.
Regulation of public safety as regards fairgrounds and theme parks is subject to the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 which requires the owners of fairground equipment to have a valid certificate of safety under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, T.D. has stated that he is currently reviewing issues in relation to safety at funfairs, theme parks and community events. I look forward to the outcome of that review.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that the provisions on workplace health and safety in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 are implemented so that those affected by work activity are protected from work-related injury and ill health. The 2005 Act places a range of duties on undertakings and individuals to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of employees.
The statutory remit of the HSA in relation to fairgrounds is exclusively concerned with the protection of persons at work and the protection of others where a work activity is taking place or is imminent. The HSA does not have statutory responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of users of fairground equipment nor has it any role in the regulation of public safety where the operation of funfair equipment used by members of the public is concerned.
