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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill

Summary

Senator Martin seeks to move the Formaldehyde Bill to the front of the agenda, and the Cathaoirleach responds to his all-Ireland framing.

Is lá speisialta dúinn é inniu toisc go bhfuilimid ag cur fáilte roimh Sheanadóir nua inár measc, an Seanadóir Malachai O'Hara. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Seanadóir, Ultach ó chathair álainn Bhéal Feirste agus ceannaire an Chomhaontas Glas sa Tuaisceart. Baineann an Comhaontas Glas, mo pháirtí féin, le timpeallacht an oileáin ar fad, beag beann ar aon teorainn fhisiciúil.

I seek leave of the House to introduce and take No. 12 on the Order of Business before No. 1. I will set out the reasons. No. 12 is a Bill entitled the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Formaldehyde) Bill 2024. I kindly thank the many Senators who co-sponsored it. There needs to be greater oversight of the use and disposal of formaldehyde to ensure improved protection of both human and environmental health. My Bill proposes to establish a code of practice governing the safe use and disposal of formaldehyde with particular reference to embalming.

It is appropriate on the day that we welcome a new Senator that there should be an all-Ireland approach to formaldehyde. I would like to see that, just as I would like to see an all-island environmental approach to protecting the native Irish honey bee and tackling the scourge of water pollution. I would like all of us to get behind an all-island transport strategy. I look forward to working with Senator O'Hara on this Bill and I thank him for being one of its co-sponsors.

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Jerry Buttimer An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

I am glad you clarified the all-Ireland approach, Senator. I was getting worried for a minute.

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