Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset I would like to assure the House that the safety and well-being of the individuals involved in this incident are the primary concern of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, who has responsibility for the Naval Service. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority, HSA, guidelines while dealing with the current situation.

While LE Orlawas in dry dock at Cork dockyard, work was being carried out in the engine room spaces. During the removal of a gasket head, Cork Dockyard Ltd., CDL, identified material which it suspected as being asbestos. CDL informed the Naval Service. The Naval Service advised that all work should cease and that the material be analysed. CDL got an outside contractor in to get the material analysed. The outside contractor confirmed that the material was asbestos, a particular type of white asbestos. CDL has since sealed the area and is awaiting a surveyor's report. Once it receives the report it will get the asbestos removed and disposed of in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set by the HSA and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA.

LE Ciara, a sister ship of the LE Orla, had had similar work completed while alongside in the naval dockyard. Following notification from CDL of the discovery of suspect material on LE Orla, the Naval Service immediately suspended work on LE Ciara. The Naval Service has called in external expertise to carry out a full survey and analysis of the ship.

The areas of concern on both ships are currently under quarantine until the analysis and remedial work is completed. No personnel are allowed entry into the engine room spaces and suspected contaminated areas. The Naval Service contacted the HSA and the EPA. The HSA has launched its own investigation into the incident and this is ongoing. A company has been contracted independently by the HSA to analyse the material on board LE Ciara.

Since the discovery of asbestos, air sampling and monitoring has been conducted by an external contractor on both ships and the samples taken were found to be safe. All staff on board LE Ciaraand at the dockyard have been briefed on the situation to date. Health surveillance has been offered to all the relevant personnel.

No asbestos risk assessment or asbestos management plan was put in place prior to this work's commencing on board either ship because a survey carried out by an external surveyor on LE Orlain 2000 stated that there was no asbestos on board the vessel. While all types of asbestos share similar hazards, they have varying degrees of risk. The risk from white asbestos is at the lower end of the scale. Moreover, the length of exposure is also a key factor, and generally, a once-off short-term exposure is unlikely to be of concern.

Medical assessments are ongoing with the Naval Medical Officer for those who were working in the areas at the time and the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. To date, there have been no reports of adverse health effects. Should anyone have concerns or show symptoms, they are being advised to highlight this immediately to Defence Forces medical staff.

I am advised by the Naval Service that a full audit of all ships in the fleet will be completed shortly. While the two vessels have been withdrawn from service, this was part of a scheduled maintenance plan for the vessels. As a result, the current quarantine of these vessels will not affect the overall operational plans of the Naval Service.

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