Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in welcoming the witnesses. I fully support the proposed legislation and we are just working to see how we can strengthen it and ensure the tobacco industry cannot hinder us in our important work. Mr. Gilligan has commented on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is very important, as this is a children's rights issue and should be framed as such. Ms O'Sullivan mentioned the duty of care of the Government to citizens, which is very important.

My questions are mainly directed at the representatives of the Tipperary Regional Youth Service. They have provided a compelling case and I thank them for that and their work. They noted that peer education is very important and we must learn more from that. There is a difference between me going into a classroom and saying smoking is bad and them going into the same classroom, and that work is excellent. I have no doubt that in a few weeks we will have representatives of the tobacco industry before us saying that they do not market to children as cigarettes are sold behind the counter and they are not allowed to advertise. I have no doubt they will have charts and so on to illustrate this. I will feel like telling them to butt out and leave our kids alone. Is there anything the witnesses would like to ask those people? I may be putting them on the spot but they can follow up with me afterwards if they so wish. What should the committee say or ask?

The delegation spoke about a reality in their submission and they are the experts. I believe people of their age are being targeted but I should not put words in their mouth. It would be useful for the committee to have primary expert evidence when we have these people in front of us. Plain packaging is a very strong step in the right direction for Ireland. Deputy Healy spoke about the size of packages and we must consider having quitline numbers on them. I welcome the views of the witnesses because of their expert opinion.