Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion and perhaps it is fortuitous that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is here to take it as he has some responsibility in dealing with the matter of asbestos. We are grateful to Mr. Seán O'Riordan and the Irish Examinerfor today reporting that asbestos was discovered on two Naval Service ships, the LE Orlaand the LE Ciara. If we are grateful to him, we are enormously surprised to discover that approximately 18 personnel, nine from the Naval Service and perhaps as many civilians, were assigned to carry out work aboard the LE Ciarawhich involved removing asbestos from the sub-funnel area. The activity involved cutting, breaking and transporting the asbestos from on board ship while a number of civilian workers were in the vicinity. I understand no risk assessment was carried out before the work commenced and no advice was obtained from the Health and Safety Authority or consultants specialising in asbestos removal.

In 1999 and 2000 the Department of Defence commissioned consultants to examine naval equipment and instalments, as well as other departmental facilities. Asbestos was identified on the LE Deirdre, the LE Emer, the LE Aoifeand the LE Aislingand at the time the offending material was appropriately removed. A clean air certificate was given thereafter given in respect of all other facilities. I understand the plans for these ships, the LE Ciaraand the LE Orla, show specifically that asbestos was in place.

A number of questions arise. Why were the naval authorities not aware asbestos was present and why were the consultants used in 2000 able to provide a clean air certificate in respect of these two ships? What will be done by the Department of Defence and the naval authorities to provide for ongoing health screening for those exposed to asbestos? We know about the enormous dangers that arise from exposure to asbestos; whatever about the material in a dormant form, transporting it having been broken and exposed to the air puts people at risk. It can manifest initially in pleural plaques in human lungs and be expressed at a later point in the development of asbestosis in its worst form. Heaven prevent this from happening to anyone affected by this issue.

We are seeking an assurance from the Minister for Defence that there will be proper health screening of all those affected and their families who may also have been exposed to the material. Given that it can take a long time for asbestos infection to manifest, we also seek a commitment to provide for ongoing screening of those who have been exposed to this material.

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