This motion asks the Ministers for Health and Environment to create an Asbestos Register of Public Buildings containing Asbestos and provide financial support in removing Asbestos from both public buildings and workplaces to eradicate Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos use has been banned from use in buildings since 1999, but there is little action in removing the substance from buildings built pre-1999, many thousands of workplaces, public buildings and education facilities.

1.   These older buildings have varying amounts of asbestos and any form of disturbance can cause strands to become airborne, potentially being inhaled and causing disease.

2.   Asbestos has been used in Water Heaters, Air Conditioning, Ducting, Boilers, Paint, Ceilings, Drywalls and even carpet underlay.

3.   This is an invisible killer and those affected receive diagnosis at the end of the 30 plus year incubation period, and way past any treatment other than palliative care. The concerns around the use of Asbestos were first raised in 1898 by HM Chief Inspector of Factories, and 97 years later Blue and Brown Asbestos imports were banned, followed 14 years later in 1999. Yet in 2019 there were 5000 deaths from Asbestos related diseases of which 2340 were from Mesothelioma.

4.   The HSE recognises that workers within the building trade, demolition, facilities management and Fire Fighters are most at risk and some of these workers could be exposed, unknowingly, up to 100 times per year.

This Council resolves that the CEO of the Council writes to the above ministers to highlight the need of a register and asking them to develop a plan to facilitate removal of Asbestos from buildings to protect the workforce and provide financial support to remove this dangerous substance and allow safe working spaces for all.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This motion asks the Ministers for Health and Environment to create an Asbestos Register of Public Buildings containing Asbestos and provide financial support in removing Asbestos from both public buildings and workplaces to eradicate Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos use has been banned from use in buildings since 1999, but there is little action in removing the substance from buildings built pre-1999, many thousands of workplaces, public buildings and education facilities.

1.      These older buildings have varying amounts of asbestos and any form of disturbance can cause strands to become airborne, potentially being inhaled and causing disease.

2.      Asbestos has been used in Water Heaters, Air Conditioning, Ducting, Boilers, Paint, Ceilings, Drywalls and even carpet underlay.

3.      This is an invisible killer and those affected receive diagnosis at the end of the 30 plus year incubation period, and way past any treatment other than palliative care. The concerns around the use of Asbestos were first raised in 1898 by HM Chief Inspector of Factories, and 97 years later Blue and Brown Asbestos imports were banned, followed 14 years later in 1999. Yet in 2019 there were 5000 deaths from Asbestos related diseases of which 2340 were from Mesothelioma.

4.      The HSE recognises that workers within the building trade, demolition, facilities management and Fire Fighters are most at risk and some of these workers could be exposed, unknowingly, up to 100 times per year.

This Council resolves that the Chief Executive Officer of the Council writes to the above ministers to highlight the need of a register and asking them to develop a plan to facilitate removal of Asbestos from buildings to protect the workforce and provide financial support to remove this dangerous substance and allow safe working spaces for all.”

Following speeches in support of the matter, the Motion was declared carried with the unanimous consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That this motion asks the Ministers for Health and Environment to create an Asbestos Register of Public Buildings containing Asbestos and provide financial support in removing Asbestos from both public buildings and workplaces to eradicate Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos use has been banned from use in buildings since 1999, but there is little action in removing the substance from buildings built pre-1999, many thousands of workplaces, public buildings and education facilities.

1.      These older buildings have varying amounts of asbestos and any form of disturbance can cause strands to become airborne, potentially being inhaled and causing disease.

2.      Asbestos has been used in Water Heaters, Air Conditioning, Ducting, Boilers, Paint, Ceilings, Drywalls and even carpet underlay.

3.      This is an invisible killer and those affected receive diagnosis at the end of the 30 plus year incubation period, and way past any treatment other than palliative care. The concerns around the use of Asbestos were first raised in 1898 by HM Chief Inspector of Factories, and 97 years later Blue and Brown Asbestos imports were banned, followed 14 years later in 1999. Yet in 2019 there were 5000 deaths from Asbestos related diseases of which 2340 were from Mesothelioma.

4.      The HSE recognises that workers within the building trade, demolition, facilities management and Fire Fighters are most at risk and some of these workers could be exposed, unknowingly, up to 100 times per year.

This Council resolves that the Chief Executive Officer of the Council writes to the above ministers to highlight the need of a register and asking them to develop a plan to facilitate removal of Asbestos from buildings to protect the workforce and provide financial support to remove this dangerous substance and allow safe working spaces for all.