asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position regarding the EEC proposals on product liability; when they were first received in his Department; the bodies consulted by him in relation to the proposed measures; and the likely time scale for adoption.

The draft Directive on Product Liability prepared by the EEC Commission was transmitted to the council in the second half of 1976 but so far has not been examined by that body. In the interim, the Economic and Social Committee and three committees of the European Parliament—Legal Affairs, Economic and Monetary Affairs and Public Health Committees—have issued their opinions on the draft and all have expressed a number of reservations.

My Department were first notified of a proposal to introduce a directive of this type in October 1974. It has consulted with other Government Departments and semi-State bodies which are likely to be affected by the implementation of the directive and also with the following bodies:

Confederation of Irish Industry

Department of Industrial Engineering

at UCG

Federation of Trade Associations

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Irish Insurance Association

Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Allied

Industries Association

Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

Any other organisations having an interest in this matter are, of course, free to put forward such observations and recommendations as they may wish to offer.

It is impossible at this stage to predict the likely time scale for the adoption of the draft Directive.

Am I right in saying that this directive was discussed by the committee on secondary legislation and that they, having decided that the area could be very complex, referred the matter to the law commission within whose terms of reference it did not come? Despite the various consultations sought, I would like to press the Minister to tell me when some legislation in this regard will be forthcoming because the area concerned is very important. When may we expect the relevant legislation to come before the House?

It is impossible to say at this stage when the legislation will be brought before the House.

Question No. 7.

The answer given is not satisfactory. What is the hold-up? Could the Minister be more precise in regard to a time scale for the introduction of the legislation?

It will depend on the progress of the Directive.

Will it depend on the progress of the Directive or of the consultations?

On both.

To what extent will one affect the other?

Are they not inter-connected?

They seem to be.