Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for my lateness, as I was obliged to attend something else.

While I did not hear the delegates' presentations, I have read some of them and, based on Professor Clancy's comments, I have a brief question. A few weeks ago I raised the issue of women smoking during pregnancy with the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. In England a patch is supplied under medical supervision to women who are pregnant but who still are finding it hard to stop smoking while pregnant. Do the delegates have an opinion on whether a patch could be used in such circumstances and whether it would be safe enough? I have been unable to get a simple, straightforward answer from a wide range of individuals in this regard. I do not mean giving out such patches willy-nilly but doing so under medical supervision, as is done in both England and Scotland. While the Minister has indicated he will look into this possibility, I seek the delegates' opinion in this regard.