Con Body:CON BODY, who has died aged 56, was central to the role of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in preparing legislative proposals for a wide range of subjects since the establishment of that authority in 1989 as the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health.
He spent most of his public-sector career, which spanned 36 years, working in the area of occupational health and safety. A quiet man of high intellect, Irish workers and society owe much to his diligence and commitment to advancing safety and health.
Having worked with the National Industrial Safety Organisation, he moved to the Health and Safety Unit of what was then the Department of Labour. One of his earliest assignments was to deal with the aftermath of the Whiddy tribunal report. He then launched into the drafting of legislative proposals to implement the report of the Barrington commission which laid the basis for a new, comprehensive approach to health and safety matters.
He acted as secretary to the interim board, which was the consultative mechanism to involve the trade unions, employers and other stakeholders prior to the establishment of the HSA. He worked with the departmental team which brought the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 through the Dáil and Seanad, before moving to the said newly established authority.
There he acted as secretary of the board for many years, as well as being central to the production of the huge range of secondary legislation that followed the 1989 Act.
He was meticulous in preparing numerous board papers over the years, and in accurately recording decisions in the board minutes. He was deeply involved in the production of regulations, including the general application regulations, implementing in Irish law a range of EC directives on health and safety at work, and later played a leading role in the drafting of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Chemicals Act 2008.
His felicity in the use of words and in phrase-making, combined with his extensive knowledge of occupational health and safety issues, were also much appreciated by those members of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel who he assisted in their drafting of legislation in that area.
His love of words was also reflected in his dedication to cryptic crosswords and he was a skilled punster. He set the questions for many table quizzes over the years, and even in the age of iPhones and Google, it could be difficult to correctly answer some of his more challenging questions.
Born in Croom, Co Limerick, in 1954, he was one of seven children, of whom one (Harry) died in infancy, of James Body and his wife Ita (née Curtin). He was educated at Tournafulla national school and the CBS, Newcastle West.
Throughout his time at the HSA he was recognised and valued as the mainstay of the organisation’s corporate memory. Ever approachable and courteous, he would readily seek out any document or precedent pertaining to the work of the authority to which reference was required.
Always in good humour, he could be relied on to defuse any tension that might arise with a witty quip.
In addition to his vocational abilities, Con had a keen sense of humour and was known for his passion for sport. He played in goal for Smithfield hockey club, Leinster branch division 10 winners in 2005. Captain of Old Bawn golf society at the time of his death, he also was a member of Portobello pitch and putt club. He was secretary of the Dublin branch of the Limerick GAA supporters club and a keen Munster rugby supporter.
Colleagues say his legacy is immense and will endure. His outstanding dedication to public service was balanced by a deep devotion to his wife and family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Mary (née Donaghue) and sons Harry and Dominic, brother Christy, sisters Terrie, Mary, Margaret, Helen and Ita, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Con Body: born August 8th, 1954; died October 28th, 2010