Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he, or any body under the aegis of his Department have received reports or correspondence in relation to the dangers posed to workers in the asbestos industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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No such reports or correspondence have come to my Department's attention. In so far as this may relate to asbestos as a waste the primary responsibility for the management of any waste lies with the holder or producer of the waste. The Waste Management Acts 1996-2005 prohibit any person from holding, transporting, recovering or disposing of waste in a manner which causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution, defined in Section 5 to include action which would to a significant extent endanger human health.

Health and safety issues in the workplace generally are a matter for the Health and Safety Authority.