asked the Minister for Health if he will state, with reference to food and drugs inspectors under his Department, the amount of spirits, viz., Irish and Scotch whiskey, gin and rum taken by them in County Dublin for each of the past six years, and the cost of same; and if he will also state how these samples taken by the inspectors and the analyst are disposed of.

The Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875-1936, are administered by local authorities and samples for analysis under the Acts are taken by inspectors appointed by the local authorities concerned.

From returns furnished to my Department by the Dublin County Council it appears that the number of samples of spirits taken in the county by the inspectors during the past six years is as follows:—

The exact cost of these samples cannot be given without detailed examination of the relevant vouchers, but the average annual cost does not exceed £10.

As regards the latter portion of the Deputy's question I understand that he has been in communication with the local authority regarding the disposal of samples held by food and drugs inspectors and that he has been furnished with the information required in that connection.

I am informed that the process of analysis necessitates the complete utilisation of the samples sent to public analysts.

I have been informed by the officials of St. Kevin's institution that they never receive any samples whatsoever.