Naval asbestos fears - Undue delay silent killer

Despite worrying claims that more than 150 Naval Service personnel and civilian workers were in contact with asbestos, a potentially lethal cancer causing substance, there has been an undue delay providing medical assessment for civilians working in the navy.

So far this controversy has half the Irish fleet tied up in the naval dockyard at Haulbowline in Cork harbour. The Department of Defence should not hesitate to provide all necessary medical attention for both enlisted men and civilians who develop health problems as a result of exposure to asbestos.

Absolutely no distinction should be made between how naval personnel are treated and the level of care offered to civilian workers to help them cope with the long-term effects of asbestos, a slow and silent killer.