David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If I read her opening statement correctly, Dr. McAvoy took a different approach. She stated there is obviously an urgency regarding bringing in the Bill as it is and we could look at other issues thereafter. She talks about packaging, flavouring, marketing, retail strategy and other areas. Why take this approach when this is pre-legislative scrutiny? We have an opportunity, if the Oireachtas sees fit, to make changes now so we do not have to wait. We know how difficult it is to get legislation passed. It can take an awfully long time. We have been waiting for this Bill for a long time. While Dr. McAvoy says that she sees an urgency in getting this Bill passed, would it not be preferable for us to deal with some of the issues around packaging, flavouring, marketing and retail strategy in this Bill by way of amendments, as supported by her colleague but also by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society?