John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Health and Safety Authority is responsible for inspections of circuses; and if so, the number of inspections of circuses operating here that were carried out in 2005. [6555/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the body which is responsible for investigating health and safety issues in circuses when a member of the public or a circus worker is injured by a circus animal; if there was an investigation into an incident in June 2005 when a person (details supplied) was seriously injured; and if so, the findings of same. [6556/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there was an investigation into incidents in June and July 2005 where a monkey in a circus bit persons (details supplied); and if so, the findings of same. [6557/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420, 421 and 422 together.

The incident in June 2005, to which the Deputy refers, was investigated by the Health and Safety Authority and on the evidence available, legal proceedings were not initiated. The circus owner and the owner of the animal confirmed in writing to the authority that they have engaged the services of a professional safety adviser to review and update their safety procedures.

On the incident in July 2005, to which the Deputy also refers, there is no record of the matter being brought to the authority's attention.

The Health and Safety Authority did not carry out any other inspections of circuses in 2005.

The operation of circuses as places of entertainment does not come within the statutory remit of the Health and Safety Authority, which is concerned with the occupational safety, health and welfare of employees. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and relevant regulations apply to circuses as places of work and only, as such, are circuses subject to inspection under the provisions of that Act.

Where any risk is identified as a hazard at the workplace, employers are required under the 2005 Act to include a provision in their safety statement to deal with the problem. This applies to all workplaces including circuses.

Under section 12 of the Act, employers are also required to manage their workplace so that, as far as is reasonably practicable in the course of work being carried on, individuals, not being employees, are not exposed to risks to their safety, health and welfare.