andMr. O'Toole asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the standards and procedures operated by the Government in monitoring the manufacture, sale and advertising of infants' clothing; and if he is aware of the disquiet caused to many mothers, and distress to their infants, due to inaccurate marking of sizes and age-groups on such infants' clothing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infants' Clothing.
9.
There are two safety standards for children's clothing, one related to the flammability of the material and the other to the use of hood cords. The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards also have published, with the approval of the Minister for Industry and Commerce of the time, recommendations on size marking for infants and girls wear. There are considerable difficulties related to the size marking of garments, particularly of children's clothing, mainly because of the lack of uniformity of size in relation to age. These matters are the subject of regular consultation between my Department, the IIRS and the industry with the object of improving marking procedures. The matter is being further considered in the light of the additional powers contained in the Consumer Information Act, 1978.
I might add that my Department have had no complaints in relation to size marking of clothing.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that at present there is not any standard being implemented by his Department in relation to infants' clothing, in respect of their sizes? May I ask him further if there are any staff involved in such monitoring?
No. My information on the situation is that there are recommendations on size markings for infants' and girls' wear but these are different from actual standards. There are recommendations set down.
That is purely optional?
It is only optional. But if there is a problem in regard to the implementation of standards in this field, because of preferences of styling, cut and so on various parents want for their children, it is difficult to operate. However, we are looking at the situation again under section 10 of the Consumer Information Act, 1978. We are trying to see what powers are necessary in order to have more precise and standardised information about the size of infants' garments.
Would the Minister accept that there is a problem here, that infants—obviously unable to speak for themselves—may be suffering in the way hinted in the question by virtue of the fact that their clothing is inaccurately marked? The Minister may not have had complaints but is he aware of the difficulty obtaining in this respect?
I am aware of it, yes.
Would the Minister accept that it is serious?
I would accept that there is a difficulty. Tackling the problem is also very difficult and has been under consideration for some considerable time both here and in Britain, where they are also experiencing problems in relation to this standardisation. However, we are looking at it again under section 10 of the Consumer Information Act. We are trying to do something under that Act. That is the only assurance I can give the Deputy at present.
When might we have some decision on the basis of the Minister's review of this matter?
I would not like to give the Deputy an exact date.
Any idea?
I would not like to give the Deputy an exact date.
Has the Minister decided in principle that an order should be introduced under this section?
No.
Has any consultation taken place with any consumer body, as is required by the Act?
As the Deputy is aware, there have been consultations held in the past with the CII and with some other consumer bodies but not under this new look we are having at section 10 of the Consumer Information Act. That has not taken place as yet.
But is the Minister not aware that, if an order is to be introduced under section 10, there must be consultation at the first stage?
There will be consultation.
In other words, the Minister has not even got to the stage of having a consultation let alone introducing an order?
Would the Minister have consultation now?
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 10.