asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have yet completed the examination requested by him into the question of drawing up compulsory safety standards for plastic bags; and, if not, if there are any interim measures he can take to minimise the danger of children being suffocated while playing with these bags.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plastic Bags.
20.
This matter has received considerable attention from the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. There are many difficulties in the way of producing a standard for compulsory enforcement in regard to an article of this nature and the effectiveness of such a standard is even open to question. I may say that so far as I can ascertain, no other country has found it practicable to adopt compulsory safety regulations for plastic bags. Nevertheless, I am continuing to pursue the possibility of taking some action to protect children from the dangers involved.
Meanwhile, the institute intends to use publicity, as opportunity offers, to warn the public of the dangers inherent in these bags. To this end, an effective feature on the subject was recently shown by Telefís Éireann in co-operation with the institute.
I would appeal to parents not to allow their children, under any circumstances, to use plastic bags as playthings.