asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state, in view of the fact that it is open to him to arrange for the nomination of a representative of agricultural workers to the Poisons Council set up under the Poisons Act, why no representative of agricultural workers has been so appointed; if it is proposed to appoint such a representative; and if he will give the names of persons representing other agricultural interests on the Council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poisons Council.
51.
As indicated by me in reply to a Parliamentary Question by the Deputy on 15th February, the Poisons Act, 1961, does not provide for the nomination by me of a representative of agricultural workers on the Poisons Council established under that Act.
The names of the persons nominated by me to the Poisons Council in accordance with section 4 of the Act are as follows:
Two Registered Veterinary Surgeons —Patrick L. Murphy, M.R.C.V.S., Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Professor W.R. Kelly, M.A., M.V.M., M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary College of Ireland.
One person with special knowledge and experience of the use of poisonous substances in agriculture—Edward J. Sheehy, B.Agr.Sc., Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Two persons whose main occupations is farming—Owen Hughes, Altamount Street, Westport, Co. Mayo, and Senator Robert Lahiffe, Cloon House, Gort, Co. Galway, both farmers.
In view of the fact that this matter is of vital interest to agricultural workers, surely the Minister will agree that since all other sections seem to be represented, it would not have been uncalled for if the Minister included a representative of the agricultural workers?
The Deputy will realise that this Council is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Health. The Act was introduced specifically to control the sale of poisons. That is a function of the Minister for Health. I come into it only in a very subsidiary way. We nominate only five out of a total of 17 persons. The statute lays down specifically the types of people I must nominate to the Council.
Like Fianna Fáil Senators.
He is not a Senator any longer.
He used to be.
He is a very good beet grower.
He was a very good Fianna Fáil Senator.
A representative of the agricultural workers is not one of the persons whom I can statutorily nominate.
Surely the Minister appreciates that the people mostly affected by this are the agricultural workers?
We would have to change the Act.
The Minister says it is not a responsibility of his Department but of the Department of Health.
Mainly. This statute was brought in by the Minister for Health and its operations in the control of poisons are mainly a matter for the Department of Health. The Department of Agriculture have a certain subsidiary interest, particularly in respect to veterinary medicines.
The Minister must know that the people most affected, and who will continue to be, are those using the poisons, the agricultural workers. They are the only people who have no redress, no representation.
We regard ourselves as the custodians of the agricultural workers' interests.
God help the poor agricultural workers.
What is the Minister's function in relation to the Eurovision song contest?
I shall enter next year. Jealousy will get the Deputy nowhere.