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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report.

Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government's report on Convention No. 129 that the system of recruitment of labour inspectors draws upon "general service" grades. Please provide detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that persons recruited to be inspectors are adequately trained for the tasks required of them.

Article 10. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes that the 1989 annual report refers to the need to strengthen control of health and safety at work. The Committee asks that information in this regard be provided with the next report.

Article 12, paragraph 1(a) and (b). The Committee notes that section 28(2)(a) of the Conditions of Employment (Regulation) Act, 1952, does not provide for entry by inspectors where there is reasonable cause to believe that a place is liable to inspection. The Committee asks that information be provided as to practical application of this section in light of the requirements of this Article.

Article 15, paragraphs (a) and (c). The Committee notes that the Factories (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, 1986, do not prohibit inspectors having an interest in undertakings supervised, or provide for the confidentiality of complaints. Please indicate what measures are taken in this respect.

Article 16. The Committee notes from the statistics provided with the Government's report that the number of routine inspections carried out in 1990 is substantially down from the number reported in 1989. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether measures have been envisaged to ensure that workplaces and undertakings are inspected as often and as thoroughly as necessary.

Article 18. Please indicate whether penalties for violations of legal provisions or for obstruction are considered adequate, with particular reference to the inspection services of the Inspectorate and Safety Unit of the Department of Labour and Emigration.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes that although some statistics were provided with the Government's report, the International Labour Office has not received an annual report on the work of inspection services. The Committee notes that reports on the working of government departments for 1988 and 1989 previously sent to the Office contained the basic data required by Article 21. Please ensure that subsequent annual reports are sent as required by the Convention. Please also include statistics of workplaces liable to inspection and numbers of workers employed there. The Committee would finally be grateful if measures were taken to provide separate statistical analysis for the industrial and the agriculture sectors.