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

The Deputy is a bit harsh on the Naval Service. When these matters were discovered something was done about them. Work stopped on the ships and immediately the proper procedures were followed. It is a bit early to come to conclusions on what an external contractor found or did not find arising from the work done. Assumptions were made that may not have been correct at the time when work was being done on one ship that the same applied to the other ship, where it was done to the same specification. The logic was taken on board and it was assumed that the certificate on asbestos could apply equally to both vessels and therefore the same status applied.

My initial answer to Deputy Ó Fearghaíl stated that the EPA, the HSA and the medical staff of the Defence Forces are doing everything they possibly could to ensure the safety and health of the individuals concerned, and to monitor the potential health risks associated with this exposure, notwithstanding that white asbestos is at the low end of the danger range for asbestos. The matters are being taken seriously. I thank the Deputy for raising them and I will certainly convey his views to the Minister for Defence.

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