Written answers

Thursday, 4 October 2007

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

3:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that adequate health and safety regulations and conditions apply at the various overseas locations at which Irish troops are serving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22207/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The safety of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me. While no absolute guarantees can be given with regard to the safety of troops serving in missions, it is my policy and practice to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately trained and equipped to carry out their mission. All possible precautions are taken to ensure the safety of our troops. In addition, Standard Operating Procedures are kept under review in light of experience and best practice.

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Support's Administrative Instruction 07/2000 entitled DEFENCE FORCES SAFETY POLICY is the primary health and safety document in the Defence Forces. This Instruction prescribes within one comprehensive document the Defence Forces policy, responsibilities, and procedures to protect and preserve Defence Force personnel and civilian employees both at home and overseas against accidents and injuries through the implementation of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and its Regulations as well as traditional Defence Forces safety instructions and procedures. It provides a safe approach to Defence Forces operations and activities, safe and healthy workplaces, procedures and equipment and assures statutory and regulatory compliance.

It is the policy of the Defence Forces to implement the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 and all the Regulations made under it, except insofar as these may for serious operational reasons, be exempted. I am satisfied that in these cases the equivalent level of care is given where possible.

Occasionally, normal statutory safety requirements may be incompatible with operational demands. This is catered for in the Exemptions granted to the Defence Forces in the Safety Act, in the General Application Regulations of 1993, S.I. No. 44 of 1993, which states:

'The relevant statutory provisions shall apply to members of the Defence Forces except when they are:

(a) On active service as defined in Section 5 of the Defence Act, 1954, (No. 19 of 1954) or deemed to be on active service as defined in Section 4(1) of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 (No. 44 of 1960).

(b) Engaged in action in the course of operational duties at sea.

(c) Engaged in operations in Aid to the Civil Power.

(d) Engaged in training directly associated with any of the above mentioned activities'

The Commander will interpret any exemption in the narrowest possible sense, and where an activity is exempted the Commander will endeavour to ensure that the maximum equivalent level of care and safety will be applied.

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