asked the Minister for Health whether, having regard to the risk of dermatitis and other skin irritations arising from contact with detergents, he will require all manufacturers of domestic detergents to imprint on each packet of domestic washing powder a warning of the risk and an advice to use rubber gloves or other protective covering; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Domestic Detergents.
4.
I have not power to issue a requirement of the nature suggested by the Deputy nor do I propose, at the present juncture, to seek such powers.
However, as I stated in reply to the Deputy's question of 11th February, I am keeping the situation under review. I have suggested already that it would be a commonsense precaution that persons liable to be irritated by detergents should wear rubber or plastic gloves when using detergents.
The Minister says that he has no power and that he does not intend to seek power to deal with this. Surely the Minister will admit that this is in the interest of people's health and surely the Minister knows that some of these detergents are dangerous and harmful? Surely the Minister should seek immediate power to see that they put a warning on the packets?
There must be some priorities in this matter. I am generally very frank with the House and this is not, in the least, a priority. I am making the necessary inquiries and I am awaiting a further statement from both the British and the American authorities who are doing examinations on these detergents which we cannot do. As long as people wear gloves they need not be affected. This is not in any sense a priority. I have quite enough to do in my Department without having this matter exaggerated and blown up out of all proportion to its significance.
We heard the very same answer from the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice in regard to drugs in 1968 when I raised it in this House. Now we know there is a problem. There is a problem in this, too, and I do not think it would be any harm if the Minister asked people manufacturing these detergents to put a warning on the packets asking people to wear gloves, if even that were done for the time being.
If the Deputy thinks there is any connection between using detergents when one can wear gloves and the use of heroin he should have his head examined.
Question No. 5.
I am only talking about the lack of knowledge of Fianna Fáil Ministers who do not know what is going on in the country.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 5.
I wanted to put a supplementary question.
They are too arrogant to answer any questions now.
Deputy Treacy wishes to put a supplementary question on No. 4.
That little twerp there is becoming as arrogant as the man on his left.
The Deputy may not address a Member of this House in that disorderly fashion.
Surely the Minister cannot be referred to as "that little twerp"?
The Deputy will withdraw that statement.
I have no intention of withdrawing it.
Then the Deputy will withdraw from the House.
I would prefer to withdraw from the House rather than withdraw that statement.
He is not little.
All right, the Deputy will now withdraw from the House.
Certain Ministers are too arrogant and they are not even interested in the people of this country at the present time.
That is a disorderly statement.
I did not hear that statement.
Deputy L'Estrange withdrew.
I wanted to ask the Minister whether he was aware of the growing concern among the medical profession in regard to the use of detergents of this kind. I was asked by medical people in my constituency and by large numbers of people before I came here on Tuesday to impress on the Minister the growing urgency of doing something effective to deal with dermatitis of this kind.
I have already done something effective. I have told all the people of this country to wear rubber or plastic gloves if they get this not very dangerous type of dermatitis on their hands. I have had it in my own family and I know all about it.
In reply to the Deputy who suggested that I was a twerp, I want to make it clear that the House will see that I have tremendously at heart a great many health problems that have to be solved.
Hear, hear.
I will be absolutely ruthless about trying to blow up the importance of minor matters particularly when there is an absolute preventative to this kind of dermatitis. I will be absolutely frank with the House about this.
Surely the Minister will agree that the use of gloves is only covering up the harmful effects of these detergents?
Would the Minister not agree that prevention is better than cure? He must have some interest in one of these glove firms.