Junior defence minister Paul Kehoe defends probe of Air Corps claims

Junior defence minister Paul Kehoe has defended the Government’s decision to investigate whistleblower allegations against the Air Corps’ management of staff exposure to harmful chemicals.

Last week, one of three whistleblowers who raised concerns over health and safety at the Air Corps in 2015 made a new disclosure, in which it was alleged that the official appointed to investigate the claims was not qualified to review the allegations.

The Irish Examiner revealed how whistleblowers have alleged that technicians’ exposure to the chemicals with which they work have caused chronic illnesses among staff, and that the Air Corps failed in its duty to provide adequate protective equipment or training to these members.