The Government has missed the deadline for implementation of an EU directive designed to protect workers from exposure to asbestos.
It is one of 13 such EU directives that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has yet to implement in spite of the EU deadline having passed, the Dáil has been told.
The directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to asbestos was due to have been transposed into Irish law by April 15th.
In a written Dáil reply to a question by Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Minister of State for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen said he regretted that the directive had not been transposed by the EU deadline. He said he had not yet received a legislative proposal on the issue from the Health and Safety Authority.
However, he was advised that draft proposals were published on the authority's website on May 9th as part of a public consultation process.
"I am informed that as part of the process of promoting awareness of the new provisions, the authority has organised a meeting with asbestos industry contractors, demolition firms, consultants, the social partners and other relevant interests," Mr Killeen said.
"The public consultation period will end on June 6th and I am advised that formal draft proposals will be ready shortly after that for submission to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for legal settlement."
Mr Ó Caoláin had asked the Minister if the "unwarranted delay" in implementing the directive demonstrated a "lack of concern for the health and safety of workers". Mr Killeen said it was important to remember that a number of existing EU directives concerning asbestos were already in force.
The main changes to be brought about by the new directive focused on workers who were most at risk, particularly those who removed asbestos or accidentally came across it in the course of servicing or maintenance activities.
The directive introduced a single exposure limit value for all work activities where exposure to asbestos dust in the air might arise, said Mr Killeen. It also carried a requirement for adequate training and stipulated that persons involved in demolition and asbestos removal activities must be qualified to do this work in a safe way.
Asbestos is the name given to a group of strong fibres that are resistant to heat and chemicals. It has been linked to lung and chest cancers and other illnesses.
In a separate written Dáil reply, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin said a total of 29 EU directives were due to be transposed into law by his department.
Of these, 13 were overdue, including directives dealing with health and safety requirements for the use of equipment at work and the transportation of dangerous goods by road.