Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to the representations made to him in 2004 by Mandate in the area of violence in the retail sector. [21563/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will act on the commitments given (details supplied) to Mandate concerning the serious issue of violence in the retail sector. [21564/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of the vulnerable position of workers in the retail sector, he has proposals to ask the Garda separately to record all incidents of violence in the retail sector; if he will work with Mandate, IBEC, the Garda and the Health and Safety Authority to reduce violence to shop workers; and if he will implement urgent measures to protect workers in this sector who deal with the public on a daily basis. [21565/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.

Violence in any sector of the economy is a matter for reporting to the Garda for investigation and prosecution where an offence has been committed. It would not be appropriate for me to single out any sector for special treatment by the Garda.

Physical ill-treatment of workers has long been recognised as unacceptable. It is clear that the Mandate trade union is particularly concerned about its members who are on the receiving end of violence and other unacceptable behaviour from customers in the retail sector.

Where violence is identified as a hazard at any workplace, employers are required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, to include a provision in their safety statement to deal with the problem. The new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2005, which will shortly be enacted and commenced, requires in section 8 an employer to manage and conduct work activities so as to prevent improper conduct or behaviour likely to prejudice safety and health. This is a new element in the Bill, the purpose of which is to consolidate and update the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and to include relevant provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 1993, which implement, in part, requirements of Directive No. 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 of the Council of the European Union on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the health and safety of workers in the workplace.

While there are no specific occupational health and safety regulations relating to the prevention of violence at the workplace, an information and advisory booklet on this matter is available from the Health and Safety Authority. This is a helpful aid to both employers and workers in dealing with this difficult matter.

On 15 April last, the Health and Safety Authority hosted a seminar and workshop on violence at work. In attendance were representatives from public and private sectors, large and mid-sized companies, occupational health professionals and many employee assistance personnel. It was presented in partnership with a company who provide employee assistance services to many enterprises across the public and private sector.