Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies Coveney and McManus for their wise contributions on Committee Stage. I indicated on Committee Stage that the Health and Safety Authority has responsibility for occupational safety and requires in-depth reporting in the context of demonstrating inter alia that a major accident prevention policy and safety management system for implementing it have been put into effect and that major accident hazards have been identified and the necessary measures taken to prevent such accidents and limit their consequences for people and the environment.

The health and safety interests of employees are regulated by the Health and Safety Authority. Any reference in this Bill to a requirement that a petroleum safety case should address the interests of employees would cause regulatory ambiguity and lead to confusion between the Health and Safety Authority and the Commission for Energy Regulation in trying to discharge their respective statutory obligations. For this reason, I do not propose to accept the amendment. Having pursued this matter in a non-partisan manner, I am certain the Deputy will understand my position. I genuinely believe the suggestions made by Opposition Members on Committee Stage were very helpful in improving the Bill.

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