asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of electric light bulbs imported annually; and if any quality control is exercised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electric Light Bulbs.
3.
Imports of electric light bulbs in recent years have been:
|
1973 |
10,653,532 |
|
|
1974 |
10,426,460 |
|
|
1975 |
8,885,524 |
|
|
(January-July) |
1976 |
4,697,621 |
Light bulbs, home made or imported, are among the low voltage electrical equipment coming within the terms of the European Communities (Low Voltage Electrical Equipment) (Regulations, 1975 (S.I. No. 62/75) under which they may not be put on the market unless they are safe; penalties are provided for non-compliance with these regulations. Inspections are being carried out by my Department to ensure compliance with the regulations.
There is only one Irish manufacturer of bulbs and every bulb made is checked before it leaves the factory to ensure that it lights. Spot checks for other defects are carried out. If faults are discovered in the spot check a more extensive check is carried out.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that quite recently in Dublin, Cork and Limerick as many as 80 defective imported bulbs were discovered? Is he further aware of the statement issued by the director of the IIRS advising housewives that should they find such a bulb with a wire protruding at the end they should use a nail file to rectify it? Does he not consider this a dangerous practice for a man in his position to advocate in view of the fact that it was stated in Britain that such bulbs can be lethal?
I have no information about the statement by the man from the IIRS. Some complaints have been received about dangerous bulbs of imported origin and the Department's inspectorate have been instructed to carry out a special investigation into the situation in various shops. This has been proceeding for the past week or so.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it was a rather foolish statement for a director of the IIRS to make, advising housewives to try to deal with defective bulbs themselves using a nail file? Does he not think he should advise them to return those bulbs immediately they are discovered?
I will draw the Deputy's concern in this matter to the attention of the director of the IIRS and I will ask him to issue any clarification which may be necessary. However, not having seen the statement myself and not being competent to advise as to the safety or otherwise of any procedure in relation to electrical matters, I should prefer not to comment further.