With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
The report to which the Deputy refers was published in the form of a letter in the British Medical Journal's correspondence column of the 31st January, 1970. I have read this letter together with a letter in the correspondence column of the Irish Times of the 3rd February from the Irish Housewives Association and an article in the same issue of that paper based largely on both letters.
I have had inquiries made and there does not appear to have been in recent times any increase in the incidence of detergent dermatitis in this country. I do not therefore deem it necessary to take any particular action at this stage but I have arranged that my Department keep an eye on the situation.
May I say that, as a commonsense precaution, persons liable to be irritated by detergents should wear rubber or plastic gloves when using detergents.