asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce strict controls on the sale of paraquat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraquat Sale Control.
28.
The sale of paraquat is controlled under the Poisons Act, 1961 (Paraquat) Regulations 1968.
These regulations restrict the sale and distribution of paraquat to authorised persons as specified in the regulations, that is, to pharmaceutical chemists, licensed sellers of poisons, etc. In addition, the regulations prohibit the sale of the substance except when secured in the sealed container as supplied by the manufacturer which must have legibly written on it the word "poison" and a warning that the contents should not be taken, should be kept out of the reach of children, should not be repacked from the container and that the container should be destroyed when empty.
I have no proposals for the introduction of additional controls but the position is kept under constant review.
Could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is satisfied that these regulations are enforced, and, if they are being enforced, does he not think they should be up-dated in view of the several deaths we have read about from time to time?
A study of the position regarding current safety measures is being undertaken by ICI and they have completed a survey on the practicability of introducing a scheme in relation to a stench-added form of gramoxon and that will be dealt with shortly.