David Norris (Independent)

How interesting. The Chimney Sweepers and Chimneys Regulation Act 1840 sounds charming, recalling the song "Chim Chimney, Chim Chimney, Chim Chim Cheree". However, the activity was unspeakable with small children forced up chimneys to dislodge the soot with their bodies. They were so thin and developed the most grotesque cancers from exposure to the hot soot. Despite, the fun one can have with its antiquarian aspect, this was a shocking and disgusting period when people were brutally exploited.

The Adulteration of Seeds Act is still appropriate as we deal with Monsanto and genetically modified food. People are again worried about what is happening with seeds. The Street Betting Act reminds me of the Dublin phenomenon, now gone because we have become so prosperous, when corner boys, small gangs of out-of-work stevedores and navvies played pitch and toss for money. The minute a garda appeared they disappeared. This practice has ended in my lifetime.

While the Tuberculosis Prevention (Ireland) Act 1908 was introduced by a particular political administration in London, the motivation came from Ishbel, the Countess of Aberdeen and wife of the viceroy. She was a do-gooder and busybody but a remarkable woman who has not been sufficiently recognised for her efforts. I have letters from her, although not directly addressed to me, dating from when she established booths in the Phoenix Park where the citizens of Dublin were treated to free orange juice and cocoa. She was a tremendous campaigner against TB before the efforts of the wonderful Noel Browne knocked it on the head. She was gallant, good and decent and deserves that little bit of credit for her efforts. In light of the terrible beauty that was about to be born, she seems to be irrelevant.

Tuberculosis was a terrible scourge then which, unfortunately, may well be on its way back. We need more legislation in this area partly because of the development of drug resistant strains of TB and partly because of sophisticated AIDS infections. Other factors contributing to this include demographic changes and the relaxation of our own habits. One now sees many people spitting on the street, many of whom are new arrivals as well as our own people spitting chewing gum. When I was young, there was a real campaign against spitting because of TB. I believe we must revisit this area.