Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The concern about health and safety prompted the initial inclusion of this provision. There are possibilities, for example, regarding electrical installations, gas installations etc. Unfortunately, in a very small number of cases employers clearly have little regard for their employees, particularly if those employees are foreign nationals. This House would send a very poor signal if we were to exclude the necessity for any employer, including domestic employers, to have in place the same health and safety requirements as in any other workplace. In situations of some kind of danger it does not seem unduly onerous that a competent person should prepare the risk assessment, safety statement or code of practice on safety. Indeed, this is not required under the Bill where fewer than three workers are employed. Excluding domestic workers from the general provisions applying to all other employees would send a very negative signal and therefore I am not minded to accept the amendment.

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