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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1970

Vol. 247 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plastic Bags Danger.

39.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the progress made by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards in their investigations into the dangers to the lives of children arising from plastic bags; and whether he has made a decision in relation to safety standards to be applied.

The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards has completed a feasibility study in regard to a safety standard for plastic bags. While the study reveals that it would be technically feasible to draw up such a standard, it was also apparent that there would be certain practical difficulties involved in its application. Manufacturing and distributing interests have been consulted in an effort to find a solution to these difficulties and these consultations are still proceeding.

The institute has from time to time, drawn attention on television programmes to the dangers involved in these bags for children and it will continue to use publicity to this end, as opportunity offers.

I would urge parents to exercise particular care to ensure that their children do not play with plastic bags as their misuse can result in loss of life.

Could the Minister say when the institute produced their findings on this matter?

In June, 1968, and they furnished further recommendations at the request of the Department in April, 1969.

Is the Minister aware that his predecessor promised that as soon as these findings were presented by the institute he would take steps to implement the safety measures? I specifically mentioned the feasibility of having perforations or holes made in these plastic bags and he said he would bear that in mind. Seeing it is so long since the Minister got the findings of the institute, the Department are being very lax in putting them into practice.

The making of perforations or holes in plastic bags can be suitable in certain instances, but there are obviously particular commodities which go into plastic bags where perforations or holes would not be suitable. There are complications involved. That is why I say consultations are still going on between the manufacturing and distributing interests and my Department with a view to arriving at a satisfactory solution arising from the report of the institute.

When will this nonsense end, where we set up a committee who submit a report and nothing is done until further consultations take place? Have we to wait for collective asphyxiation?

We would like to get collective acceptance of certain things. Deputies are forever complaining that Ministers or Departments make decisions without due regard to somebody or other. If there are difficulties that can be ironed out before a specific decision is taken I am all in favour of trying to iron out those difficulties and finding a solution acceptable to the vast majority of people and which has a far greater prospect of success. I am rather surprised at the suggestion of the bulldozing approach which is being called for by the Opposition.

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