asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will introduce legislation to govern the sale in this country of ornamental glitter lamps containing certain dangerous substances and tris-treated textile articles intended to come into contact with the skin and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Use of Dangerous Substances.
The items referred to by the Deputy are the subject of an EEC Council Directive of 24 July 1979. The directive bans the use of tris in certain textile articles and the use of dangerous fluids in certain ornamental lamps and ash trays. It was made under an existing 1976 directive relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. The 1976 directive is the responsibility of the Department of Labour who have made regulations giving effect to it. The implementation of the 1979 directive which must be effected by July 1980 is at present the subject of discussions between my Department and the Department of Labour.
I might add that there is at present an order in force entitled the Industrial Research and Standards (section 44) (Children's Nightwear) Order, 1979, S.I. No. 3 of 1979. The purpose of this order, which was made on 5 January 1979, is to prohibit the manufacture, assembly or sale of tris-treated children's nightwear because of a potential health hazard.