Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to remove asbestos from buildings and so on here in view of the continuing danger of asbestos; and if it has encouraged or grant-aided local authorities to remove asbestos free of charge from buildings in their council area. [10769/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are no grants available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestos in buildings. There is a general ban on the use of asbestos under Directive 76/769/EEC as amended, which was transposed in Ireland through the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 220 of 2003).

The prevention of exposure is the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestos in the workplace. Specific worker protection Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos fibres while at work have been in place since 1989. The most up-to-date Regulations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006), which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority. The Authority comes under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Insofar as the management of asbestos as a waste is concerned, the Waste Management Acts 1996-2007 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.