Mr. Tom Coughlan:

Yes. I thank the Deputy for his questions and I understand his point. One of the HSA's strategic priorities between 2016 and 2018 is to focus on work-related health risks. It is only when one delves into the detail of the role of the HSA that one realises that it is not all about safety inspections and the physical environment in which people work. It is easy to recognise physical risks, but the HSA also has responsibility for the health element. As the Deputy said, it is more difficult to identify non-physical risks in the workplace, for example, risks to mental health. Health and work-related health risks will form a strategic priority and focus for the HSA. Much of the work that has to be done in that space must be done through partnerships and engaging with stakeholders.

The Deputy mentioned the HSE. There are a number of stakeholders and partners.

For example, a range of partners are involved in the farm safety advisory group and that is the way the Health and Safety Authority will have to work in the future. It will have to create alliances and work with stakeholders, because these are not just problems for the Health and Safety Authority. They are also problems for the farm community and the construction sector. I said that one of the valuable lessons I learned in local government, particularly as chief executive, was the importance of working in partnership with different agencies, bodies and organisations and that will be my focus in my term in the HSA.