Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to carry out a medical or health audit of serving and former members of the Air Corps similar to that undertaken in Australia in order to identify those that may have been exposed on an ongoing basis to toxic chemicals during their service. [3490/18]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Given the possibility that there is a major health scandal hidden in the Air Corps due to bad health and safety standards, is it not logical that an audit or survey of the health of serving members and ex-serving members be carried out to determine the scale of the health problems in Ireland, similar to the survey that was undertaken in Australia when that country became aware of serious exposure of serving members to deadly chemicals?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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At the outset let me state again, as I have done previously in this House, that the health and welfare of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann is a priority for me and my Department. In this regard, a number of processes are already in train relating to reviewing health and safety procedures in the Air Corps. First, as the Deputy is aware, 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 were received in late 2015 and early 2016. The report of the independent third party review was received by my Department in June 2017. Although the report found that the Defence Force's regime appears to be capable of meeting statutory requirements, it makes a number of observations relating to documentation, health surveillance and exposure monitoring. It also notes that the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, is the appropriate statutory body to deal with such matters. I sent the report to those who had made disclosures for their views and I am considering the next steps in the process having received those views and in the context of ongoing litigation.

Separately and in parallel to the independent review, following an inspection in 2016 the Air Corps has continued to work with the HSA to improve its health and safety regime. I have been informed by the military authorities that the HSA has formally noted the considerable progress made to date by the Defence Forces towards implementation of a safety management system for the control of hazardous substances. Subject to completion of the improvement plan, the HSA investigation is closed. However, it must be noted that Air Corps health and safety is a matter of ongoing monitoring, supervision and adjustment. The Air Corps is fully committed to implementing improved safety measures that protect workers from potential exposures to chemicals and will ensure risks are as low as reasonably practicable.

Regarding inquiries conducted in Australia, as I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 849 of 7 March 2017, I am informed by the military authorities that there is a number of published reports and ongoing studies relating to Australian personnel who were exposed to chemicals while conducting a particular maintenance task on a specific aircraft programme. As such, the military authorities have advised that it would be difficult to draw a direct comparison between the Irish Air Corps and the Australian Air Force.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I accept that progress has been made in improving health and safety in the Air Corps since these issues were first raised with previous Ministers and with the relevant authorities. I am not seeking comparisons with Australia but am alluding to a process undertaken in that country which has not been undertaken here on foot of the Department becoming aware of a serious scandal. The event to which we are referring is historic and I hope that nobody in the Air Corps today is being exposed to dangerous chemicals in the same way that personnel were exposed in the past for 20 or 30 years. Australia is but one of a number of countries that have identified major flaws in their health and safety regimes. When the Australians identified those flaws, one of the first things they did was to conduct a survey of serving and ex-members to determine their health status so that they could take any steps necessary to address their needs and to prevent any future problems. My question is not related to the O'Toole report or to anything else. It is solely concerned with the health of those who served in the Air Corps who are suffering hugely.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is correct that the Air Corps event to which he refers is historical in nature. The HSA has been very involved in ensuring the health, safety and well-being of members of the Air Corps, as I have already outlined. It is working to make sure that what happened in the past will not happen again.

As I have already said, protected disclosures were received in late 2015 and early 2016. One of the first things I did on taking office as Minister of State in May 2016 was to appoint an independent reviewer who met those who had made the protected disclosures.

I published the final report and sent it to the people who made the protected disclosures. They have replied to me and I am considering my next steps. I have been given a suite of options from my officials. I will make a decision on what option I will proceed with to make sure that we take seriously the allegations made by the personnel who made the protected disclosures.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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All the O'Toole report dealt with was whether the procedures were in place to deal with whistleblowers. This is not about the whistleblowers or the cases before the courts at the moment. The State is fighting them tooth and nail and I think it is on the losing side. If those are set aside, there are quite a number of other members who gave service to this State, through the Air Corps, who are suffering catastrophic health problems. Most of these, they believe, are related to the chemicals they were exposed to such as trichloroethylene and others which cause not only minor problems such as ulcers or lethargy, but major heart defects, birth defects, and a range of respiratory and intestinal complaints. It is affecting them in the same way as poison.

Is the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, concerned about the health of former members of the Defence Forces? We should not forget that the Defence Forces, and the Minister of State, still have a duty of care to those who previously served even though they might be in civvies now. They are still answerable to the State in terms of the defence laws. Is the Minister of State concerned and does he believe it is worthwhile finding out what happened? That has not been the task of Mr. O'Toole or anybody else to date.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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There is a duty of care. I have taken this issue very seriously and I outlined the process that I put in place upon my appointment. I met with the whistleblowers, the personnel who made the disclosures, and I listened to their concerns. I will act on the concerns they outlined to me in writing upon being given the review. Deputy Ó Snodaigh said there are quite a number of people. I have already indicated in the House that the State Claims Agency is currently managing seven claims taken against the Minister of Defence for personal injuries, alleging exposure to chemical and toxic substances while working with the Air Corps in the period 1991 to 2006.

It would be inappropriate to comment further on the litigation cases that are going forward. However, I am taking the people who made the protected disclosures on this issue very seriously and also the duty of care that I have as Minister of State with responsibility for defence. I assure the Deputy that I will make the right decision on whatever recommendation I make next.