They were commonplace here but are now banned, presumably due to the lack of adequate protection for the socket, especially the potential lack of an RCD.
On a different point, don't have access to this document but...
As far as I know IS 180 (Irish Standard) recognises CEE 7/7 schuko 16 amp side earthed sockets, BS 546 and BS 1363 as suitable for use here.
I am open to correction on that one.
