Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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I have discussed this matter with the Minister of State previously. It is of particular concern to parents of young children and was recently covered by RTE's "The Consumer Show". Liquid detergent tablets are fairly innocuous household products that many of the Deputies present are familiar with and have bought and used. They are growing in popularity because they are handy, compact, mess free and brightly coloured, wherein lies the problem. Unfortunately, their design and size makes them irresistible to toddlers. While the liquid inside the tablets may be effective at cleaning clothes, it is incredibly harmful and has been the cause of a significant number of severe eye injuries among young children.

Several brands contain alcohol. Combined with other ingredients, this can destroy the tissue of the cornea. There are instances of up to 80% of corneas being burned off by the liquid. However, these products are only labelled as irritants and, as such, do not warrant or attract the level of concern that is necessary. This is a technicality, as the damaged tissue can regenerate within 21 days. However, doctors have pointed out that a child will be in extreme pain or discomfort during that period. A child burned by the chemical in the liquid detergent tablets could face a lifetime of impaired vision and discomfort. An ophthalmic surgeon from the Temple Street Children's Hospital, Mr. Ian Flitcroft, is so concerned by the dangers of these capsules that he recently co-authored a letter to the Lancet medical journal calling for the introduction of child-proof containers for these products. As parents know, it is difficult to keep an eye on a child at all times. Since the tablets are so attractive to children, Mr. Flitcroft believes that these products should be labelled as unsuitable for homes with young children.

A simple label on which is written "Irritant" does not convey the level of risk posed by these tablets to young children. Alarmingly, the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland received 144 inquiries from parents in 2011 regarding incidents involving detergent tablets. This makes them the most common source of poisoning. We must address this high figure.

Having been approached by "The Consumer Show", I must admit to being shocked, as the Minister of State would be, by the severity and scale of the problem. Some of the manufacturers have stated that they will improve labelling and packaging, but this might not go far enough. The Irish Cosmetics, Detergent and Allied Products Association, ICDA, has promised changes in packaging and-or the tablets in response to growing concerns via a stewardship programme. However, we must go further. As legislators, what can we do?

Could the Department step in and ask for a change in the labelling on this packaging in view of the high number of incidents and the fact that it is currently the number one cause of household poisoning in the country?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I have a technical response on children ingesting detergent "liquitabs" and I will outline it with your indulgence, Acting Chairman.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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My indulgence was not appreciated on the previous occasion on this side.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Okay. I take the point. I understand that the National Poisons Information Centre was in contact with the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, as the competent authority for detergent regulations last August to September, as it was concerned about the number of incidents reported - as highlighted by the Deputy - involving children and liquid detergent tablets. More than 50% of the inquiries to the poison centre's helpline related to incidents with "liquitabs" involving children, with the majority being between one to three years old.

These products are small, with a soft texture which means they are easy for children to pick up and squeeze or put into their mouths. I am stating the obvious. The National Poisons Information Centre was also aware of a report in the media in 2012 from Scotland, reporting five children, all under the age of two, who were admitted to hospital over an 18 month period as emergencies with stridor - or an abnormal breathing sound indicative of a blockage in the throat - and drooling after biting into a liquid detergent capsule. As a result of that and information from the UK, treatment guidelines now advise that "children aged under five years who are asymptomatic but have been exposed to this product within the last two hours should be referred for medical assessment". Therefore, it is essential that parents and guardians contact the National Poisons Information Centre for advice if their child ingests a "liquitab".

In response, the HSA met with the National Poisons Information Centre and with the manufacturing companies who are placing these products on the Irish market to discuss the issues arising. The HSA also brought the matter to the attention of the EU Commission and colleague EU member states. In response to its engagement with industry on the issue, all of those companies that place the products on the market in Ireland signed up to the voluntary product stewardship programme in December 2012, which involves commitments to change the packaging to reduce the visibility of the capsules and to restrict access to the capsules by small children. The programme also covers product information and communications about keeping these products out of the reach of children, as well as an awareness campaign designed to keep such products - along with household chemicals - out of the reach of children. The campaign is being prepared by the National Poisons Information Centre with the engagement of industry. All product packaging changes should be in place by June 2013. The HSA and the National Poisons Information Centre continue to monitor and review the progress of the product stewardship plan on an ongoing basis.

As recently as last month, the HSA met with the IBEC industry representatives and was updated on proposals in hand with the National Poisons Information Centre concerning awareness plans for the products, along with progress on changes to product packaging. Last November, the HSA formally raised the matter at EU level. In particular, the HSA sought to explore the possibility of taking action under the EU detergents regulation or the EU dangerous preparations directive as a means of addressing the current issue. The EU Commission's considered view was that if EU measures were considered necessary, the provisions of the general product safety directive could be used for immediate action and for long-term measures and what is known as a "restriction" proposal under the EU REACH regulation could be examined. The Commission has indicated, however, that while further discussion would be required with member states to determine the most appropriate measure, it would prefer to await the outcome of the voluntary action being undertaken by industry. I am close to the end of the response.

AISE - the EU industry representative organisation for the sector - explained that the capsules have been developed to meet "sustainability" challenges and consumer requests for "easy to use" detergents. One might say that could be deemed as a typical industry response. It also outlined the actions already put in place or ongoing by practically all individual companies concerned and presented proposals for further future actions, including specific labelling and warning icons on the packaging and awareness raising campaigns. I have a few more points to make but in recognition of the amount of time available I will conclude now and respond following Deputy Conway's supplementary questions.

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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I am pleased to hear the HSA has taken the matter seriously because it accounts for such a high number of household poisonings, in particular affecting young children. The answer I received could be broken down into two points. The first is the commendable measures the HSA and the National Poisons Information Centre are taking in partnership with industry. We will wait until June to see what measures are agreed. However, industry-led undertakings in other countries did not lead to child-proofing of products and the status quo prevails.

I am pleased to hear about the backing of EU regulation if industry-led measures do not go far enough. We must seriously examine the situation in June. The fact that we are speaking about the matter in the House allows us an opportunity to flag it with parents. Given that the product is only labelled as an irritant and it is considered to be an innocuous product with which we wash our clothes, people do not have the same sense of urgency about keeping it out of the reach of young children as they would perhaps with other household products such as bleach, which automatically rings alarm bells with parents. We must keep an eye on progress in the matter.

I am also pleased to hear the HSA and industry will embark on a public awareness campaign in June. However, I am concerned that the measures to be taken will not go far enough because when a similar solution was sought in America, nothing changed there. The issue merits our attention and action in view of the corneal damage that could be done to a child’s eye and the other risks posed by such detergent products.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Again, I fully acknowledge the points made by the Deputy. It is fair to say – I speak objectively – that the HSA is quite fastidious in terms of how it approaches matters such as this one. The Government is happy to allow the HSA to continue to work with the National Poisons Information Centre to monitor and review progress on the voluntary product stewardship programme. If further measures are necessary there is potential for the backup of potential REACH-type legislation at EU level on the matter. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter.