Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether it is credible that all copies of the reports of inspections into health and safety at Casement Aerodrome in the 1990s sent by Forbairt to the Department of Defence in 1995, 1997 and 1998 have disappeared; his further views on the position of military authorities whose lack of concern at their disappearance is matched by their inaction when informed the reports were missing; if he will initiate an independent probe into the disappearance of these reports which whistleblowers claim in a protected disclosure were to be shredded on the orders of a named official; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32215/17]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister of State seriously want us to believe that at least four health and safety reports into conditions in workshops etc. at the Air Corps' Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, County Dublin, have just vanished in an organisation that is scrupulous in retaining files? It is inexcusable that no investigation into the disappearance has been initiated even though we know that at least two of the files were scheduled for shredding.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As I indicated to the Deputy in my letter of 17 May 2017 and my reply to Question No. 2278 on 20 June 2017, I was advised by the military authorities that there was a report on measuring carbon monoxide fumes from aircraft compiled by Forbairt in 1995 and a further report on monitoring air contaminants in workshops in 1997, which was also compiled by Forbairt.

Unfortunately, following an extensive search and the military authorities having consulted Enterprise Ireland, which superseded Forbairt, and having also conducted a search within the Department, it has not been possible to locate these reports.

The military authorities have indicated that the Defence Forces have neither a hard copy record nor an electronic copy of the Forbairt reports. The military authorities have indicated there are a range of potential causes for the loss of the reports such as the changeover of electronic recording systems in 2004 or that the reports were misplaced over time. However, this is purely speculative.

This matter was raised with me in recent correspondence where certain allegations were made that the documents had been destroyed. The correspondence in question was also addressed to the Chief of Staff and to the Deputy. I have requested a report from the Chief of Staff on the actions taken on foot of the accusation. When that report is to hand, I will consider what further steps may be required.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Many former Air Corps members, especially those involved in the maintenance of planes in the 1980s, 1990s and since, are suffering severe chronic illnesses that they believe were caused by their exposure to toxic chemicals while working as technicians at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. A toxicologist has given his medical opinion that these conditions exist in the case of six men who are suing the State and that they developed as a result of their exposure to chemicals.

I have been alarmed at the possible clusters of very serious health anomalies existing in Air Corps personnel and former personnel, including autoimmune problems, chronic fatigue, bowel failure, heart conditions, mental health problems, a higher than normal number of birth defects among the children of those servicemen and servicewomen and, in certain cases, infertility.

Central to all this is the question whether the State took all reasonable steps to protect the workers. At least four health and safety inspection reports produced in the 1990s have gone missing. These inspections were carried out on behalf of the State body, Forbairt. The Minister of State claims that one such report has gone missing, but it is in fact four. I know the Minister of State has had sight of at least two of those recently. Did he ask for a copy of those reports to follow up on questions raised in this House? Is he aware that some of those reports exist beyond the two he has seen? On foot of those, will he go back to those authorities, which have files on everything? These are not electronic because it was in an era when most of them were done on paper.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have referred the Deputy to ongoing litigation involving a number of former employees of the Air Corps and the Irish Defence Forces. When I became aware of the reports the Deputy mentioned, I made my own inquiries. I have written to the Chief of Staff and asked him about these reports. When I got further correspondence from the personnel section, I handed over a copy the correspondence and asked him to come back to me on it. I did not destroy any reports nor am I aware of anyone destroying any reports. I have asked the Defence Forces Chief of Staff to investigate and find out why the reports were not kept on record within the Defence Forces. If the Deputy has any information regarding who destroyed the reports, I will gladly listen to him.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister of State believe personal protection equipment was issued to the men and women in the Air Corps in the 1980s? Does he believe they were seriously exposed to chemicals such as these? I know he has seen the photograph I am holding up. It was shown to him by the whistleblowers. When he met the whistleblowers, did he ask them for copies of the report? I have in my hand copies of two of the reports that were scheduled for shredding.

Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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If the Deputy wants the Minister of State to respond, he must conclude.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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In the Minister of State's view, are the whistleblowers distinguished or disgusting?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I gave freely of my time to meet the personnel and I listened to their cases. It is appropriate that I treat the information they gave me in full confidence. I treated both individuals with the height of respect. The Deputy is aware of the ongoing litigation against me as Minister of State at the Department of Defence. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss those cases.

Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I remind Deputies that they will not be able to ask a second supplementary question if people talk down the clock. If they want the Minister of State to respond, they need to stick to the times.