Workplace death rate falls

61 people died in the workplace last year, according to the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority.

The number represents a significant drop on the previous year's figure of 70. The farming sector remains the most dangerous with 24 fatalities, seven of which were children.

In construction, the death rate remained the same.

Junior Trade Minister Tom Kitt welcomed the decline in fatalities, but said much more needs to be done.

He said the Government will shortly publish updated health and safety legislation, with much harsher fines for those found in breach of the law.