Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expected date of publication of regulations regarding the drug testing of employees as provided for in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2005. [15294/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Health and Safety Authority has a commitment in its programme of work for 2006 to develop proposals for regulations under section 13(1)(c) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which Act commenced on 1 September 2005. I wrote to the Health and Safety Authority in October 2005 seeking proposals.

I understand that in January and February of this year, four preliminary public consultation meetings were held by the Health and Safety Authority throughout the country at which, among other issues, the matter of intoxicants at work was discussed. When proposals for draft regulations are prepared by the authority they will be issued for formal public consultation in accordance with section 57 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

I have no indication, as yet, as to the timetable for submission of a draft to me for consideration. However, once received I intend to bring the draft regulations to the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business for its views.