asked the Minister for Labour the outcome of the investigation carried out by his Department to determine the cause of the leak of gas at the NET fertiliser plant in County Cork in August 1979 and the consequences to date at the installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Investigations by my Department suggest that the gas leak was most likely the result of the many start-ups and close-downs of the high pressure/high temperature plant during its commissioning period. I am advised that this, in itself, is not unusual. What is significant about this incident is that, during the attempt to remove the lagging and insulation from the leaking valve, the gas ignited. Procedures established in the undertaking to deal with fire worked satisfactorily and there was no injury. As part of its normal follow-up of such incidents, the Inspectorate is discussing, with the company, its programme for the elimination of possible ignition sources.