Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also join the Cathaoirleach and Leader in congratulating Mary on her service. I wish her the very best for the next chapter in her life. I also welcome Emma, Yvonne and Michelle to the Gallery. They have been doing enormous work in north Wexford to resolve the school bus issue, which I know many of us have to address.

There are a number of issues I would like to raise today, the first of which is the commencement of public sector pay talks, which is very welcome. As the Cathaoirleach will know, it has always been my hope that the section 39 organisations would be tied into any agreement that is reached around public sector pay and that any agreements would impact the retained fire services. It has long been our view that we should try to tie every element of the public services into these. I would appreciate if the issue of how we will be able to involve these organisations going forward could be clarified.

I also wish to discuss the Healthy Ireland Survey 2023, which the Department of Health commissioned. It is a survey of more than 7,000 people and looks at the health of people in Ireland. While we are generally a pretty healthy nation, I continue to have a significant concern regarding nicotine-inhaling devices. According to this survey, the use of e-cigarettes has risen to 6% to 8% of the population. Of particular concern is the fact that 20% of women aged from 15 to 24 are now using vapes. Many of these young women have never smoked before and are now taking up these nicotine devices. I appreciate we are moving as quickly as possible to introduce legislation prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to those under the age of 18, but we need to proceed with the second Bill as a matter of urgency. It will restrict advertising and points of sale.We also need an information campaign on the dangers of these nicotine-inhaling devices. These need to be communicated. As part of the debate on health I hope this can be arranged.

Today is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy and his family have very close links with Ireland and with County Wexford. We had an event to commemorate Congressman Brian Donnelly yesterday in Leinster House and the Cathaoirleach very kindly attended. The links between Ireland and the US need to be celebrated further. Sometimes we take them for granted. I suggest that at some stage we hold a debate on how Ireland can enhance our links further with the United States.