Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I really appreciate Deputy Buckley bringing forward this matter and for the contributions he has made before the House this evening, which are timely, appropriate and stark.

First, my thoughts are with the workers who were seriously injured at the Stryker plant in Cork earlier this week, with their families, with their co-workers and with all those who know them. I can only imagine the shock they are experiencing and they are all in my thoughts and prayers. I wish both workers the very best as they undergo treatment for their injuries. The family of the seriously injured worker has described him as a kind, mild-mannered family man, with a loving wife, a baby, a young child and a stepson who are his world. My thoughts are with him and his whole support system as they navigate this truly awful experience.

Like Deputy Buckley, I share a core value I think everyone in this House should and does share, namely, that everyone deserves to feel safe at work, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, this was not the case for these two men. I also thank the Deputy for raising the issue, because it is important to make clear how seriously my Department and I take incidents like this and others that have been mentioned.

As the Deputy knows, the Health and Safety Authority has already commenced an investigation on this. I can assure him this investigation will be thorough and the HSA will take whatever action it deems appropriate. Stryker is working with the HSA on this investigation and I want to stress that this close engagement must be maintained throughout the investigation and beyond. It should go without saying that every worker in Ireland is entitled to a safe working environment and, crucially, every employer is legally obliged to provide this environment.

As the Deputy knows, the HSA offers advice, support and guidance to all employers and workers on how to ensure they have a safe place of work. The HSA also has a range of extensive investigative and enforcement actions available to it when dealing with employers on workplace health and safety matters. Companies have a huge role to play here in upholding these rules and regulations. I must stress that the HSA is fully independent in carrying out its statutory functions. When it comes to the specific details of the incident this week in Stryker that the Deputy raised, we must wait for the conclusion of that investigation.

The Deputy makes clear remarks that are separate from the exact title of this Topical Issue, which require a response and analysis from me and my Department officials, on the nature of protected disclosures and the Deputy's call for a full safety audit covering the years 2019 to 2023. I will take that under advice and I give the Deputy the solemn commitment that I will bring that back to the Department and have that reflection. I will do that in the confines and restrictions of legislation governing this and the duty of the HSA to act as an independent statutory body. I take that seriously.

I say to all Deputies, and as Deputy Buckley has indicated himself, where they have dealings with a whistleblower and where they are in receipt of a protected disclosure, they should of course bring that forward and we will respond to it appropriately in government. Where we have to work together, we should and we will. That is something I undertake to do on the floor of the House this evening with Deputy Buckley. Hopefully, incidents like those we have seen in Stryker will be very rare going forward and, most importantly, those who are injured and affected recover as best as possible and as quickly as possible.

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