andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange immediately for the classification of the weedkiller paraquat as a poison in view of the recent tragedy and its great danger.
52.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Poisons.
51.
andMr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the number of serious accidents caused by the negligent resale of bulk liquid poisons in non-standard containers, sometimes labelled and, if so labelled, often without proper instructions thereon, he will state what regulations are in force to prevent the sale of liquid poisons in any non-standard containers such as lemonade bottles, etc; and if he will make a general policy statement in relation to the sales of poisons.
53.
andMr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health how many prosecutions have come before the courts for breaches of the Poisons Act, 1961 since the inception of the Act to date.
54.
andMr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health what recommendations have come to him from Comhairle na Nimheanna in relation to the recent number of deaths caused by the sale of poison liquids in non-standard, badly labelled containers.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 to 54 together.
On a point of order, Question No. 51 is a separate question, and I would appreciate if the Minister would answer it separately.
We have no reply to Question No. 51.
It is a completely separate question and I am asking your permission to have it answered separately.
Questions Nos. 51 to 54, inclusive: the Minister.
As regards Question No. 52, I presume that the Deputies are referring to the sale under the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, by licensed sellers of poisons or substances to be used exclusively in agriculture and horticulture and accordingly I would refer them to the reply which I gave on the 29th February last to Deputy Michael Mullen's questions about the matter.
I have now made regulations controlling the distribution, sale, etc. of paraquat which will come into effect next Monday. This will give the manufacturers a few days in which to relabel every container in the country and to withdraw supplies from unauthorised sellers. Under the regulations, chemists, druggists and persons holding licences under section 2 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908 will be authorised to sell the substance.
Other requirements will relate to the container in which paraquat is sold and in regard to the warning labels which the containers must bear. For example, the word "Poison" will be prominently displayed.
Any person who has already purchased a supply of paraquat and still has some in his possession is strongly advised to ensure that it is kept in a secure place, away from children and from foodstuffs and not kept in lemonade bottles or similar containers.
No prosecutions have been taken under the Poisons Act, 1961 as no regulations under the Act had been made until the paraquat regulations were made. In the meantime, the existing controls over poisons and medical preparations continue.
No specific recommendations have been made to me by Comhairle na Nimheanna regarding the matters referred to in Question No. 54. However, An Chomhairle have made comprehensive recommendations regarding all aspects of poisons control, including the type of container to be used and the labels which they should bear.
Will the Minister state why his Department are opposed to classifying paraquat as a poison?
I do not know anything about that.
There was a phone call from the Department to me about this. Why was it not accepted as a matter of urgency last week?
Would the Minister set up some type of reception office at which people could hand in unused poison materials thereby removing hazards in the homes of these people, particularly in relation to the better safeguarding of children? This was done recently in England with great success.
Even if you did that, it is very hard to control what people do with any liquid they have in their own homes. I advised in the reply that people should be very careful about this. It is really a matter for the parents to take the necessary steps to ensure that if they have any of these lethal substances, they will be kept under guard.
Speaking personally, I know that very often when you come across a used bottle, you do not know what to do with it, and if the Minister set up such a reception office as I suggest, it would dispose of these hazards and the people who received the bottles could put the contents to a better use.
Since the corporation will not take empty beer bottles and the like, I think you would be getting a lot of them if you tried to set up an empty bottle depot.
Will the Minister consider it?
The remaining Questions will appear on to-morrow's Order Paper.
Why did the Minister take so long to make a decision on this?
I made a decision as soon as it was brought to my notice.
Why did——
If there is agreement, the remaining questions can be taken now.
I suggest stopping at 4 o'clock. I have an appointment and to take the remaining questions would interfere with it.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.