Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if employees and their trade unions were consulted in the formulation by the Health and Safety Authority of guidelines for employers, employees and clients involved in the cash transit industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In 2005, the Health and Safety Authority consulted widely with relevant interests in the cash in transit industry at all levels in the development of the "Guidelines for Employers, Employees and Clients involved in the Cash in Transit Industry", which were formally launched on 2 March this year. Speaking at the launch of the guidelines, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and commerce, Deputy Michael Ahern, said that the guidelines were a shining example of what could be achieved when employers and employees co-operated towards a shared goal. Indeed, proper safety and health procedures in the cash in transit industry will bring benefits not just to the industry but also to the general public in terms of safety and security.

A working group comprising representatives of employers, employees and their union, the Private Security Authority, the Garda Síochána and the Irish Bankers Federation assisted in the development of the guidelines. At an early stage in the process, the working group met employee representatives and heard their views. They were further consulted on the final draft of the guidelines.

The guidelines are designed to give practical advice to those working in the cash in transit industry so that the safety and health of all employees are protected and ensured. Employers, employees and client companies who follow the guidelines will be taking the recommended steps to protect the safety and health of their workers and will be demonstrating their intentions to achieve best practice.

The guidelines deal with a range of issues, from servicing ATMs and manual handling issues to syringe and knife attacks and hostage situations — so called tiger attacks. The specific objectives of the guidelines are to: promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of people working in the CIT industry and others who may use the services of CIT companies or who are engaged in carrying cash in the conduct of their own business or employment; provide guidelines on the standards of safety to be provided by those who conduct CIT business; ensure that risks to safety and health in the CIT industry are identified, assessed and eliminated or controlled in the most appropriate way; promote consultation and co-operation between employers, employees, contractors, sub-contractors, clients and controllers of premises in ensuring the safety of their employees.