asked the Minister for Health whether he has received representations from the National Health Council in regard to the danger to public health arising from the import of unsterilised rags; and whether he will arrange for the effective sterilisation of such imported material before permitting its use for any industrial purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Unsterilised Rags.
140.
Mr. O'Malley
Under Article 20 of the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948, all imported consignments of rags, used clothing and bedding, other than imports through the post or in the personal luggage of an importer, are subject to disinfection unless they are imported from Great Britain or Northern Ireland and are accompanied by a certificate of a medical officer of health stating that they have been effectively disinfected.
The question of a relaxation of these controls was before the National Health Council in 1959 but having regard to the views expressed by that body the matter was not proceeded with.
Am I to be quite clear that any rags coming to this country from any source other than Great Britain or Northern Ireland are required to be effectively sterilised?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes.
But the Minister received representations from the Health Council on this subject on the assumption on their part that such regulation did not exist?
Mr. O'Malley
No, that is not the position. It was contemplated that the regulation might be relaxed somewhat, as in other countries, and when the views of the Health Council were brought before the officials of my Department they decided to suspend the implementation of the relaxation of the regulation and, in fact, we did not change the regulation.
There were proposals for changing the regulation and suspending the requirement to sterilise imported rags but on the representation of the Health Council the Minister decided not to make this change?
Mr. O'Malley
There was a proposal in contemplation that we would relax the regulation and as a result of the Health Council's representations we decided not to proceed with this proposal.
Is the Minister aware that the Health Council is at present under the impression that it recommended to him that sterilisation of such rags should be made mandatory and that he rejected the recommendation, whereas the exact reverse is the truth?
Mr. O'Malley
No, that is not the position, because this regulation is there the whole time.