Ms Patricia King:

I thank the Deputy for the question. I take no comfort from the fact that only 67 inspectors are assigned because that will not do the job. The HSA has assigned a call centre to take complaints. The implementation programme will not be completed just by having a call centre. I want to make that exceptionally clear. It is part of an infrastructure, but it is not by any means the entire system.

The HSA inspectors are very professional people and we will need many more of them. There is an inspectorate across the country in various State agencies and Departments who have the role of inspecting workplaces. They cover agriculture, food, the environment, health and so on. All of those people have the title of inspector and duties and responsibility relating to different aspects. There may very well be some conversation that could be had, taking account of all the issues for those individuals in terms of any changes to their work and so on. Conversations about reassignment could take place while this pandemic is ongoing. We do not have any role, as such, other than the trade unions which represent those workers which have a role in terms of dealing with any change in work practices.

Something which is very tricky and difficult, but which is now coming to the fore, is the fact that in the workplace having the voice of workers heard without them feeling threatened or anything else is not covered under any law in this country.