I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 216, 217 and 218 together.
I have stated in reply to previous questions by the Deputy that the chemical 245-T in the formulation in use by my Department poses no threat to man or his environment. Accordingly in replying to the three questions tabled for written reply I do not accept his description of the herbicide as being hazardous or dangerous.
Subject to the foregoing the following is the information sought: (a) I have requested my Department to make available to the Deputy a copy of existing instructions (including normal safety precautions) covering the use of 245-T and other non-hazardous herbicides; (b) The amount discharged per worker may vary from 10-20 litres (diluted with up to 20 times its volume of water) in one day depending on local conditions; (c) The four hours does not represent a fixed rotation: it is merely indicative of normal maximum period during which a worker might be so employed. A longer period would not be seen as representing any hazard; (d) No instructions to discontinue the use of 245-T have been issued for the reason given at outset; (e) Last purchase was 6,000 litres in 1977 at a cost of £14,000 approximately to supplement existing stocks. Stock in hands is not known pending the completion of an inventory now in progress.
