Corporate manslaughter laws tabled by Sinn Féin in Senate

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

Reckless employers must be held criminally liable for workplace accidents and fatalities

AHEAD of Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April, Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has tabled a Corporate Manslaughter Bill in the Seanad.

Corporate manslaughter legislation is already in place in many other states, including in Britain and in the North of Ireland.

The Sinn Féin proposals were first introduced by former TD Arthur Morgan during a previous administration – based on proposals of the Law Reform Commission Report on Corporate Killing (2005) – but lapsed before they could be debated.

This week’s submission wants the death of a person caused by gross negligence to be classified as ‘corporate manslaughter’ and carry a penalty of up to 12 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

In addition, a person who fails to abide by a disqualification order under the Bill will be liable to a fine up to €3.5million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

David Cullinane, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, said:

“For too long, irresponsible employers have got off with small fines when they have been at fault for the death of a worker. Reckless employers must be held criminally liable for workplace accidents and fatalities.

“Forty-seven people were killed in workplace accidents in this state last year and while this was a decrease from 52 this is still far too many. Most workers died in the agriculture sector but many in construction too.”

He said the shocking and enormous loss of life in the Bangladeshi textile factory collapse in recent days underlines the human costs of employers taking risks with their workers’ lives.

“While such a large-scale tragedy is difficult to imagine here, we have seen accidents and tragedies which could have been avoided but for the carelessness of employers.”