Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The issue pertains to the question of EU standards for toy safety and my request for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to raise the issue at the next EU Council meeting. I raised this issue in the Dáil last September when it came to my attention that approximately 2 million toys that had been produced in China under contract for Mattel in particular, which is the largest toy company in the world, had to be recalled because there were dangers of lead poisoning due to excessive levels of lead in the paint. This recall took place in August. I note there was a further recall last week of approximately 55,000 toys, 12,000 of which have been sold in Ireland and Britain since June. This is the fourth recall in the past six months of toys that have been produced under contract by Mattel and which are perceived to be dangerous to the health of children.

The number of recalled toys that have been on sale on the world market appears to be extraordinary and I do not understand how this has been allowed to continue. I understand the European Commission has rather belatedly agreed to undertake a review of its toy safety rules. The original toy safety directive from the European Union is 20 years old and the regulations that were produced arising from it were made in 1990. These govern issues such as marketing, classification and labelling of toys that are sold on the Irish market. Obviously, as 12,000 toys have been recalled within the past month, the regulations have not been successful. What will happen in this regard? When is it likely that a new or revised directive will be produced? When will such a directive be transposed into Irish regulations or law?

One should note that even before Hallowe'en, the marketing of toys and Christmas goods had already begun. There is a particular onus on the Government to ensure that the largest component of the Christmas market, namely, the toy market, is safe for children which would give ease and peace of mind to those parents who purchase toys for their children. I raise the issue now to impress upon the Minister that at the next EU Council meeting, he should argue strongly for the revision of the European Union directive. This should be done on the basis of urgency in order that the necessary safety regulations would be in place to avoid a recurrence of the same scenario that has taken place four times in recent times globally and occurred in Ireland only last week.

The safety of the children of this country is paramount. The responsibility for that safety rests squarely on the Minister who makes the laws and regulations that govern this area. I call on the Minister to make sure that action is taken urgently.

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