asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware that a large number of electrical plugs on the market are defective; and the action he proposes taking in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electrical Plug Defects.
17.
I am aware that there are a large number of cheap imports of electrical plug and socket fittings coming onto the Irish market which are a potential danger to the public.
Because of this problem I made an order which prohibits the manufacture, assembly or sale of electrical plugs or socket-outlets which do not meet specified safety requirements. This order came into effect on 1 August 1983.
The order is being enforced by the Department's safety officer. Legal proceedings have been instituted by the Department against a number of retailers for selling unsafe fittings.
Is there any cross-Border trade in this area, legal or illegal? Is there a big problem and can any standards be enforced if there is illegal traffic in these goods?
The only information I have with regard to their source is an indication from the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards that up to 40 per cent of plugs and sockets of Far Eastern origin sold here may be unsafe. Irish and European fittings are normally safe. In any event, there is no strong legal protection in this area, which did not exist previously, against the sale of unsafe fittings and people who now sell them are liable to prosecution, which was not previously the case.
Other than making the order, what steps have been taken to have these defective plugs taken off the Irish market? I refer to plugs already in stock.
The most important step is that anyone who sells those goods will be prosecuted. A number of prosecutions are in train. If shopkeepers know they are liable to prosecution, without any urging they will not put goods on sale that will expose them to prosecution.
This is not fair to some Far Eastern countries. Has the Minister any information about the reputable products?
I agree that it is something of a broad brush slur on what may be quite reputable products from some countries. That is all the information I have. If the Deputy wishes to put down another question I will give more precise information if I can. I did not say they were all unsafe but that 40 per cent of them may be unsafe.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.