Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The voluntary protection programme is an initiative in workplace safety which has its origins in an EU-USA meeting on safety in the workplace and was introduced to Ireland in 2004 as a joint pilot initiative between the Health and Safety Authority and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. Since the pilot initiative was established, four companies have achieved the star safety rating that is the initial goal for the participating companies.

The outcome of the pilot initiative is currently being evaluated by the board of the Health and Safety Authority, which is statutorily responsible for the enforcement of health and safety legislation in Ireland. I have not made any commitment to recognise the voluntary protection programme in workplaces in Ireland. This would be a matter for the Health and Safety Authority.

See this speech in context