asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a Dublin shopkeeper has recently been convicted of selling poison, sufficient to kill a thousand persons, without complying with conditions laid down by law and was fined £30 in the district court, where the district justice expressed the opinion that the maximum penalties on conviction were too small for the present day; and if he will introduce legislation to provide substantially increased penalties and more stringent control in such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Sale of Poison: Maximum Penalties.
4.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy's question relates. A Bill to amend the law on the sale of poisons has been under consideration for some time. It is at present at an advanced stage of preparation and it will, I hope, be possible to introduce it early in the next session. It is intended by this Bill to provide for substantially increased penalties for offences against the law and for more effective and flexibile controls over the sale of poisons.