asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has concluded the enquiries about the sale of drugs to which he referred on 14th December, 1967, in reply to Question No. 29.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Drugs.
49.
I have looked into the possibility of action under legislation for which I am responsible, and I find that it would not be practicable to take action in relation to the matters alleged to have occurred in 1967. I am keeping the position under surveillance, however, and I shall take immediate action if it appears at any time that an offence has been committed within this country.
Is the Minister aware that, on 9th November, 1967, he told me he had ample power to deal with the matter and that there were three courses open to him? Is it a fact he now says there is no course open to him because he has waited so long?
The matter has been thoroughly investigated since then and the difficulty is that such offence as may have occurred appears to have occurred outside the jurisdiction. I have the power to deal with it if we can establish it occurred within the jurisdiction.
In consequence of the inquiries that the Minister has had made is he prepared to arrange with his colleague, the Minister for Justice, that Mr. Zygmunt Sieczko would be regarded as an undesirable alien here in the future?
The Deputy may take it the question is one to which the Minister for Justice will give some consideration.
The Minister is aware what Mr. Zygmunt Sieczko has done is harming our national reputation.
I am so aware and for this reason, if for no other reason, I am particularly concerned and anxious to take action.
Will you consult with your colleague, the Minister for Justice, accordingly?
Yes.
Could the Minister state whether this particular person whose company is operating in Dublin has been supported by the Government Department who purchased drugs from him and will he give an assurance that none of the particular drug to which we make reference has been purchased by any local authority? Has he made investigations into this matter?
As far as I can recall I answered a question on that aspect in the House some time ago. I am speaking now from recollection and my recollection is that it was established that a very minor quantity of those drugs had been purchased by the public authority from that company and that it had been ensured that it would be removed from the list and that no drug would be purchased from that company.
Is the Minister aware that the previous Minister for Health gave an assurance that no further drugs would be purchased from that company? Despite that the Dublin Health Authority got £28,000 worth of drugs from that company.
I am not so aware. From the time it was directed that they were to be removed from the list a sum of something like £47 was expended on purchases from them inadvertently. I am speaking from recollection.
Drugs to the value of £28,000 were purchased from Intercontinental Pharmaceuticals Company despite an assurance from the Minister for Health that such drugs would not be purchased.
I can say that statement is not correct. If the Deputy would put down a question on it I will look into it.
Look at the record. I got the information from the Minister for Health.
The remaining Questions will appear in tomorrow's Order Paper.
Is there not one other Question or so to the Minister for Industry and Commerce?
Do I take it that the Chair will allow me to raise the subject matter of Question No. 32 on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy during the course of the afternoon. Question No. 50.