James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I wish to inquire about three Bills. The Ceann Comhairle has alluded to another Deputy being in order, even though it was the first time she came near to being in disorder. Does that not ring an alarm bell for him about the frustration Members feel about the lack of information coming back from the HSE? We cannot get answers out of the Minister for Health and Children or her Department.

I refer to No. 69, the public health (alcohol labelling provisions). When will it come before the House? Will the Minister take the opportunity to ensure there is clear labelling of the calorie content of alcohol? That is currently not the case but it should be. We are experiencing an obesity epidemic and this legislation will help to inform people that there is more to the damage that alcohol can do because calorie content is also an issue.

When will No. 65, the human tissue Bill, come before the House? Will the Minister take the opportunity in this legislation to set up a transplant organisation? A national transplant office is needed. We have an appalling record in lung and heart transplants, particularly for cystic fibrosis sufferers. The transplant programme in the Mater Hospital is not delivering for our people and we need to know why. One of the reasons is there is not a proper co-ordinated service.

I also want to inquire about the public health (sunbeds) Bill. This simple legislation would ban the use of sunbeds by those under the age of 18. Their use causes skin cancer. Children under 18 need to be protected from that.

See this speech in context