Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I wish to share time with Deputy Dessie Ellis. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. The Ceann Comhairle may not be aware that next Saturday, 28 April, is workers' memorial day. Figures I have received this morning indicate that since 2008, a total of 216 people have died in the workplace. There has been a gradual increase year on year. In 2010, 48 people died; 54 people died last year and so far this year, 14 people have died in the workplace. Considering there has been a decrease in the numbers employed this increase needs to be dealt with by the Government. There is no doubt that some employers are disregarding health and safety standards and procedures in the workplace. More often than not, this is the interests of chasing profits and we have seen the consequences. In 2005, the Law Reform Commission reported on the need for criminal liability in the area of corporate manslaughter. Sinn Féin published a corporate manslaughter Bill in 2007. Before it fell at the last general election, the previous Government was examining the introduction of legislation to address this area. It actually published the heads of a Bill which sought to introduce two new offences. One concerned the area of corporate manslaughter which would give effect to criminal liability against corporate entities, while the other concerned management causing death, which would have held individuals responsible.

Will the current Government pursue that legislation, or is it planning to introduce its own legislation to address this matter? We are one of the few remaining EU countries which does not have legislation on corporate manslaughter.

In the lead up to Workers' Memorial Day, it would be a good step for the Government to take on board the Law Reform Commission's recommendations and bring forward legislation to rectify this matter.

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