Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

As the person might be flooded, the poor plumber might be in more danger by the time the assessment is completed. Perhaps a plumber or washing machine repair engineer might refuse to enter the house without seeing the risk assessment. It is ludicrous.

The Minister of State should not provoke me by mentioning the treatment of non-national workers. While I have not heard of complaints about health and safety issues, I have certainly heard complaints about exploitation. If the Minister of State provided adequate inspectors to enforce existing regulations, he would do a greater service in the protection of the welfare of migrant workers.

This kind of provision will be highlighted as a sign of the nanny state gone mad. It will bring legislation into disrepute and ultimately will undermine the body of important legislation we are introducing. We need to tread very carefully when we cross the domestic doorstep. We are too prepared to enter the domestic household and assert regulations. While some provisions are necessary, this is a step too far. I am deeply disappointed that the Minister of State seems embedded in his view and is unable to even accept my amendment which I modified for Report Stage.

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