Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The outline of the cases being taken are scary, if they are upheld. We will not go into the detail of those cases.

My concern here is to ensure that Deputy Kehoe, as Minister of State, the senior Minister, the Taoiseach, and also the military authorities act immediately when first made aware of a health and safety issue and the unwarranted exposure to chemicals of Air Corps personnel, and especially since the damaging report of the HSA in October last.

Can the Minister of State assure the House that the 13 recommendations of the Health and Safety Authority have been completed, or when will they be completed? Can he assure us that there will be no more unwarranted exposure to both carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals? Furthermore, can the Minister of State assure us that the Air Corps personnel now have the basic protection equipment required in handling such chemicals - gloves, eye protection and respirators?

It has been going on for years. Obviously, the Minister of State cannot undo the past. He can accept the responsibility for his remit. The military authorities should accept the responsibility for the years in which they are aware of this. Can the Minister of State let us know how long are the military authorities aware of an issue to do with the handling of chemicals in Baldonnel Aerodrome?

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