asked the Minister for Health the function of the Poisons Board; the names and qualifications of its members; the number of times it meets; when it last met; the number of pharmacologists and physicians on the board; and its relationship with the National Drugs Advisory Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poisons Board.
54.
The functions of Comhairle na Nimheanna are set out in section 3 of the Poisons Act, 1961, and the qualifications required of its members are contained in section 4 of that Act. The Council is at present being re-constituted and I shall send the Deputy a list of members when the new Council members have been appointed.
The number of meetings held is a matter for determination by the Council itself under section 8(1) of the Act having regard to the amount of business it has to do and I have no functions in the matter. I understand, however, that the last full meeting of the previous Council took place on 12th January, 1966. The Poisons Act (section 4) provides that five registered pharmacists and three registered medical practitioners shall be appointed to the Council.
There is no direct statutory relationship between the Council and the National Drugs Advisory Board. The two bodies were established under separate statutes to deal with different aspects of the control of medical preparations.
Would the Minister not agree there is need for a very close liaison between the Poisons Board and the National Drugs Advisory Board?
I would, yes.
In view of that reply, would the Minister not in the reconstitution of this Board see to it that there is closer liaison between it and the National Drugs Advisory Board?
Yes.