asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to remarks attributed to the Dublin City Coroner at an inquest on the 8th instant that the regulations for the sale of Paraquat are ineffective; if he has considered the matter; and if he will make a statement.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Paraquat.
38.
I have seen a report of a recent statement by the Dublin City Coroner referred to in the question.
I dealt fully with the position regarding controls over the sale and distribution of Paraquat in my reply of 2nd July, 1970, to questions by the Deputy and Deputies L. Belton and Donnellan. Since that date the manufacturers have:
(1) Issued a letter to over 260,000 farmers emphasising the need for complying with the warnings on the Paraquat containers and particularly the danger of decanting the substance into another container (except for the purpose of immediate use);
(2) issued appropriate prominent warning notices in the national press;
(3) restricted considerably the numbers of distributors and sellers of the weedkiller.
In addition the manufacturers are still carrying out research with a view to the production of Paraquat in a form which would prevent it being drunk accidentally.
I do not consider that I would be justified at this stage in introducing more stringent controls in relation to this product which I am advised is so useful in agriculture and horticulture.
(Cavan): Will the Minister agree that this weedkiller is a lethal poison? Is he aware that it is frequently decanted into such receptacles as milk bottles, with fatal results in many cases? The weedkiller is practically sold on draught. In view of that does the Minister not think it necessary to see that the regulations indicated by the manufacturers are rigidly adhered to for the protection of the general public?
I have no reason to believe that the steps taken by the manufacturers are inadequate. As I said, they are still looking into the matter to see whether this particular substance can be provided in a form which will prevent its being drunk accidentally.
(Cavan): It is sold by the pint.