asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that poisonous and highly dangerous weed sprays in containers are often left lying around indiscriminately, thus posing a real danger, particularly to children; and if he proposes to introduce stringent controls over the sale of such sprays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Weed Sprays.
6.
I am not aware that the situation is as described by the Deputy. Even if it was I cannot see that controls on sales per se would remedy careless handling and storage in use or after use.
I would reiterate what I stated last week, in reply to Deputy Bruton's question, that I considered the greatest safeguard against mishaps to children is the vigilance of those in charge and that dangerous substances should always be kept out of reach of children. This will be emphasised in coming health education measures.
Is the Minister aware that on 2nd July, 1970, I put down a question about the distribution of a weedkiller called paraquat and the Minister then informed me that he was satisfied that sufficient precautions had been taken as regards the retailing and distribution of this weedkiller and that as late as 13th February of this year there was an item in the Evening Herald saying that a report by the Irish Medical Association journal had renewed the allegation that retail chemists still continued to decant this weedkiller, paraquat, in small containers like beer bottles and soft drinks bottles and is the Minister satisfied that his restrictions on the retail of this weedkiller are being sufficiently enforced and is he further aware that Dr. Lucey——
This is a very long question.
It is a long question but when human life is endangered it is worth putting a long question. Recently the Mayo county physician, Dr. Lucey——
We cannot discuss this whole question.
I want to know is the Minister satisfied——
The Deputy has asked that question.
Is he fully satisfied that the restrictions imposed——
We cannot have a speech on this question.
It is not a speech.
It is a speech and a long speech.
It certainly is not. As recently as the 13th January——
Would the Deputy resume his seat and allow questions to continue?
——there was a report by the Irish Medical Association——
Question No. 7.