Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will commission an independent health outcome study of aircraft maintenance personnel and of personnel working in aircraft maintenance shops in Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/17]

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My question asks if the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence will commission an independent health outcome study of aircraft maintenance personnel and of personnel working in aircraft maintenance shops in Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces are a key priority for me and for civil and military management. As the Deputy is aware, there are a number of processes already in train relating to reviewing health and safety procedures in the Air Corps.

As I stated in the Dáil on 25 January 2017, the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, conducted inspections at the Air Corps premises at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, on three occasions in February, April and September last year. During these visits the Air Corps outlined the most recent developments regarding its health and safety practice and procedures, which were being developed in consultation with risk management experts. I understand that the HSA met with Air Corps personnel, safety representatives and other employees and observed some workplaces and work practices.

On 21 October 2016, the HSA issued its inspection report to the Air Corps which listed a number of advisory items for follow-up. They included the areas of risk assessment, health surveillance, monitoring of employees' actual exposure to particular hazardous substances and the provision and use of personal protective equipment. On 20 December 2016, the Air Corps wrote to the HSA outlining its proposed improvement plan. The Air Corps advised that it was fully committed to implementing the improved safety measures to protect workers from potential exposures to chemicals and will ensure risks are as low as reasonably practicable. The Air Corps improvement plan is being conducted over eight phases. I am advised that seven out of the eight phases are planned to be completed by May 2017. Additional risk assessment of particular chemicals, policy review and health surveillance and biological monitoring will also be considered.

As recognised in the HSA report of October 2016, the Air Corps had already commenced activities of improvement and was proactive in implementing change before, during and after the engagement with the HSA.

In addition to the HSA review, the Deputy is aware that, in September 2016, I appointed an independent third party to review allegations made in a number of protected disclosures relating to health and safety issues in the Air Corps, which I received in late 2015 and early 2016. It is important that I get a clear and independent view of the issues raised by those who have made such disclosures.

Interim recommendations and observations from the independent reviewer were received by me in December 2016 and were passed to the military authorities for immediate action, where appropriate, and response.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

On 7 January 2017, a response was received from the military authorities outlining the actions under way and this has been forwarded to the independent reviewer for consideration.  I understand that the reviewer is considering this material, and determining the next steps required in order to finalise his review.

I assure the Deputy that I will ensure that all recommendations, whether arising from the work of the Health and Safety Authority or the ongoing protected disclosure review, will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps.

In the circumstances, and pending the completion of the current processes, I have no plans at this time to commission an independent health outcome study of aircraft maintenance personnel and of personnel working in aircraft maintenance shops in the Air Corps.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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This matter has been ongoing for quite some time and I raised it, with other Deputies, as a topical issue matter a few weeks ago. Since then the story has developed and, as Deputy Micheál Martin said in response to the investigation of the Irish Examiner, it has revealed quite a horror story within the Air Corps. Last week there were details of text messages between the Chief Whip, Deputy Regina Doherty, and a whistleblower who had warned the Government of Air Corps staff exposure to cancer-causing chemicals while working at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. She undertook to contact the Minister for Defence about the matter. In January 2015 she passed a message on to the whistleblower indicating that the then Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, would call the next day. This is contrary to his claim that he was unaware of such an appeal. Major inconsistencies have emerged in the Government's account of how it has managed the warnings it has received over concerns over Air Corps technicians' health. None of the three whistleblowers has been contacted by Deputy Coveney or the current Minister for Defence since they made their disclosures more than a year ago. Can I assume this is still the case?

Has the Minister made contact with the whistleblowers concerned? We are already seeing a lot of turmoil about the treatment of whistleblowers in another arm of the State. Have we learned nothing? Has the Minister met with the whistleblowers? If not, why not?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have not met the whistleblowers. As the Deputy is aware, these are protected disclosures and litigation is ongoing so it would be wrong of me to meet the whistleblowers. When I was informed of this, after my appointment in July 2016, I got the full report and appointed an independent person to carry out a review of the disclosures made by the three individuals. The independent person reviewed the files and felt that they did not have the qualifications to carry out an independent assessment. Upon that, I appointed another person in early September and that independent assessor gave a preliminary report to my office in late November. In December I sent a copy of the report to the military authorities and they have sent back their thoughts and views on the report. I have kept on top of this issue since my appointment in May 2016 and it is incorrect to say there has not been some form of dialogue and communication with the people who made the protected disclosures.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The manner in which the whistleblowers have been treated is completely unsatisfactory. The Chief Whip and the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, seem to be at odds about who said what and when, and Deputy Coveney seems to be unaware that the whistleblowers wanted to meet with him personally while the Chief Whip says otherwise.

In the context of a health review of those potentially affected, we need to assess what soldiers were affected by this chemical issue and what their health implications are or were. We need to sit down with the individuals concerned and put together a health package for them to ensure their health needs are met into the future. If the health of any of them has been adversely affected because of failings on the part of the State to provide proper health and safety equipment and a safe place to work, the State needs to step up to the plate. It should ensure the health needs of these people are met into the future and that they do not have to foot the bill themselves.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have been assured by the Chief of Staff and the military authorities that all health and safety precautions have been put in place. The HSA also carried out a review of the Air Corps and made a number of recommendations around the health and safety of personnel.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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That is in the past. I am asking about the situation going forward.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I wrote to the Chief of Staff and he says all these matters are receiving the fullest attention. I will not jump to any conclusions. I will wait until I have the full independent review of the person I appointed in 2016. I will look at the recommendations he makes and consider the findings of the report. It would be totally wrong of me to jump to any conclusions. I will use the recommendations of the assessor's report together with those of the HSA to make sure all safety precautions are in place in the Air Corps.