Vol. 509 No. 1
122 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any products containing mercury are being manufactured in any industrial unit here; if any export licences have been issued in 1998 or to date in 1999 for any product containing mercury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19572/99]
There is no database kept by my Department or by the enterprise development agencies of raw materials used in manufacturing here. I am not, therefore, in a position to definitively answer the Deputy's question in this respect. I am aware, however, that a company in Wicklow produces mercuric iodide soap which is used in the treatment of tropical skin conditions.
The Health and Safety Authority, which comes under the auspices of my Department, is the national body responsible for the promotion of occupational safety and health and related matters, and for the administration and enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions in this area. Under current legislation administered by the authority, there is no statutory requirement for companies involved in the manufacture of products containing mercury to be licensed by the authority.
The EU list of dual-use goods – i.e. goods which can be used for both civil and military purposes – which are subject to export control contains two items with "mercury" in their title. These are mercury amalgam pumps and mercury cadium telluride crystals and epitaxial wafers. My Department has never issued export licences in respect of either product. My Department is not aware if any other controlled products contain mercury as a component.
