asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the alarming number of deaths from paraquat poisoning, he will ban the use of paraquat and also of gramoxone which contains a high percentage of paraquat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraquat Poisoning.
11.
My Department is at present in touch with the Department of Health and the manufacturers about the introduction of further controls and safeguards in connection with the sale and distribution of paraquat as well as the issue of further warnings concerning the dangers associated with its use. Pending the outcome of these contacts, I do not propose to ban the distribution of the preparation.
Is the Minister aware that in the last four years there have been 44 deaths from the use of paraquat? Even if he were satisfied that sufficient restrictions had been imposed on the sale of it, is he aware that many purchasers insist on dispensing it into smaller containers? Is he aware also that the county physician for Monaghan stated recently that he was able to purchase a container of paraquat without signing the register and that there was also within easy reach 12 bottles which could be stolen by the most amateur thief? Furthermore, is the Minister aware that the coroner at an inquest in South Galway stated that the country would be much better off without this product? Does he not regard this as sufficient reason for banning the sale of it?
The Deputy is probably aware that out of the 44 deaths referred to the information I have at least indicates that no more than seven of these were due to accidental poisoning, mainly suicidal poisonings. Of course it is not the only poison that is on the market, but it is readily to hand. Then there is also the decanting of it, or the putting of it into smaller bottles, which is completely illegal. The Department of Health have made that clear.
In other words, the Minister cannot control it?
I can see there is an extreme difficulty but at the same time it is a very valuable weedkiller and foliage killer. Apparently there are a number of substances being tested at the moment that may replace it, but it is not the only poison that is freely available to people. I do not know why paraquat seems to be the one that has caused so much trouble.
Could the Minister say if there is any result of the test that was supposed to be carried out on human guinea pigs in north County Dublin by ICI with regard to the effect the inhaling of paraquat would have on human beings? Is there any result of that test?
Human guinea pigs?
Yes. It was announced in the Press.
I am not aware of the experiment the Deputy is referring to.
The Minister does not know of any result of these tests?
I am not aware of the experiment.
It was announced in the Press.
Can the Minister assure the House that the amounts of gramoxone that are on sale at the moment contain this foul-smelling substance as mentioned by the Minister?
My information is they do.
All of them carry it?
All of them are supposed to contain it. I cannot be certain that there are not quantities left over on farms or elsewhere that do not contain it.
Could the Minister take some action in this regard and see to it that whatever quantity of the old stock is lying around is disposed of because this is what causes the trouble.
Again, the Deputy knows the difficulty in seeking this out and finding the people who have it.
Is the Minister satisfied that this paraquat cannot be purchased without somebody signing the register?
That is the law. It is being purchased illegally if it is purchased otherwise.
Is the Minister aware of the statement of the Monaghan county physician that he could purchase it without being asked to sign for it?
I cannot answer the Deputy's supplementary question.
Did the Minister's Department take any action following a disclosure in this House a month ago that gramoxone without this foul smelling additive was on sale? Did his Department take any action to ensure that it would be taken off the market?
I cannot answer that supplementary question.