Employment Rights
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-05
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Alan Dillon (FG), Mayo

I reaffirm that worker safety remains a core priority of our Department's ethos.
The existing legislative framework I outlined is strong, comprehensive and designed to ensure employers assess risk and take all necessary steps to protect staff from extreme temperatures and other hazards. While there are currently no plans to introduce paid leave for extreme weather events, guidance is available with regard to employers' and employees' rights and responsibilities during severe weather events. The HSA has a key role to play in this regard and it provides guidance, oversight and timely communication during these events, ensuring that workplaces are fully informed about their obligations and fully prepared.
I reiterate my Department’s offer for further engagement with Unite to facilitate engagement with the HSA. That is where this conversation needs to start, discussing how we can further enhance and amplify messaging and continue to ensure our workplaces are safe during these events.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:36+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-05