Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister of State that a new agency is not necessary. However, somebody must take responsibility. Currently, if a serious accident occurs in a public place, nobody can investigate it. A number of cases have come to the attention of the Health and Safety Authority that would originally have been thought not to be within its remit, including road accidents on stretches of road where workmen were conducting road works and cases of MRSA in hospitals. Many people are concerned about who is in charge in terms of investigating these matters. Will the Minister of State at the very least agree that the Health and Safety Authority should be charged with responsibility? An agency of the State should be put in charge of this matter rather than creating a new one. Let us define what is meant by workplace to give certainty in this matter.

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