Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Deputy James Reilly has informed me that the consequences of this Bill include the fact that while retailers may be in breach of the law in respect of the display of cigarettes, there is a writing-down of the penalty in a number of areas. He does not object to that. However, can I have confirmation that this does not include the sale of cigarettes to minors? I am informed that inherent in this Bill is the provision that if cigarettes are sold to minors the normal flexibility of the law should not apply. When the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Micheál Martin, introduced the smoking ban it was introduced on the basis of being a health issue and got support from all over the country. One cannot and should not pass a law that allows for a deliberate easing of the law where minors are concerned.

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