Health and Safety Inspections

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Ceisteanna (445)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

445. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to her contribution in Dáil Éireann on 21 May 2020 regarding the number of HSA inspections that had taken place at meat plants, the reason this information was subsequently released to the media when it was considered confidential; if she considers this to be a breach of confidentiality; the actions that she plans to take in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11325/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys)

In my contribution to the Dáil on 21 May last I pointed out that, at that stage, the Health and Safety Authority had carried out over 240 on-site compliance inspections.  I also said that while the Health and Safety Authority does not give details of individual inspections, or details of individual employers, as such information is deemed confidential, I was able to confirm that meat processing plants were included in these numbers.

As the Health and Safety Authority has continued its programme of inspections to check adherence to the Return to Work Safely Protocol across all sectors of the economy, general, high-level information on the number of inspections has been made available to the Dáil.  The Health and Safety Authority has itself made such information available in response to media queries.  However, details of individual businesses inspected, or due to be inspected, remain confidential to the Authority.