asked the Minister for Agriculture the quantities of weedkiller containing the chemical 2, 4, 5-T which were used by his Department; and if, in view of the established danger to health from this substance, he will consider prohibiting its use by his Department.

No weedkiller containing the chemical 2, 4, 5-T is used by my Department. The World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation have stated that there is no danger to human health or the environment from this chemical provided that the dioxin content does not exceed a specified level. This position was endorsed by the Commission of the European Communities on the basis of an opinion of its Scientific Committee for Pesticides. Any 2, 4, 5-T on sale in Ireland contains less than the recommended maximum level of dioxin.

Is the Minister aware that ten countries, including the United States of America, have banned all formulations of 2, 4, 5-T and that the EEC have recommended that it should not be used by householders in gardens and so on?

I am aware that a number of countries have banned the use of 2, 4, 5-T but I am also aware that a number of countries, including us, use it. In June 1982 the European Commission considered this matter and did not recommend the banning of the use of 2, 4, 5-T. However, they did recommend a maximum level and the product used here contains an element of dioxin which is less than the level recommended.

Could the Minister indicate the levels concerned and what tests, if any, have been carried out on the product known as SDK which is freely on sale in shops in Dublin?

That is a separate question.

The Minister has referred several times to recommended levels of dioxin in 2, 4, 5-T but he is not giving any information about what these levels are or about the levels in the 2, 4, 5-T for sale here. Could he give me this information?

The technical recommendation, in line with the European Commission's proposals, was .01 mgs per kilogram of dioxin.

Does the Minister have any information about the levels of dioxin in 2, 4, 5-T which is available here?

That is a very technical question and it is a completely different question to the one asked.