asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has received trade union representations regarding the provision of protection for agricultural workers using dangerous substances, which often results in industrial diseases; and if it is his intention to give agricultural workers representation on the Council established under the Poisons Act, 1961, so that the interests of such workers will be adequately represented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poisons Act Council: Representation of Agricultural Workers.
41.
Trade union representations in this matter were made to the then Minister for Agriculture in October 1957. The Poisons Act, 1961, does not provide specifically for the nomination of agricultural workers to the council. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I am nominating to the council two veterinary surgeons, a person with special knowledge and experience of the use of poisonous substances in agriculture, and two farmers. I am satisfied that the council as constituted will be in a position to take full account of the interests of farmers and agricultural workers alike.
Does the Minister not agree that the agricultural worker, who will eventually be the sufferer if the Act does not work out as proposed, should have direct representation on it?
The council has not been set up. I have conveyed to the Minister for Health the persons and the representative character of the persons, from a technical and other points of view, I wish to be members.
They do not include a representative of the workers.
There is no provision in the Act for such——
The Minister has provided that there will not be representation. On his recommendation, he is making sure there will not be representation.
I have recommended those whom I thought would serve the community best.
But not the workers.