Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issues that have been raised about public health are very fair. Several public health initiatives are being taken in the area of cigarette smoking. The Minister for Health has made a number of announcements and I support very much, as I am sure we all do, the measures it is intended to take in regard to cigarettes, in particular with regard to packaging. Cigarette smoking is a public health concern and, in particular, a concern of mine, of the Minister for Health and of the Department of Health. This has been made very clear and Members will see more on this in the coming period. Legislation has been proposed by Members of the other House in respect of where cigarettes can and cannot be smoked. There is a major concern and priority attached to the issue of cigarette smoking as a public health imperative by the Minister and the Department of Health.

I agree with Deputy Pearse Doherty to the extent that he makes the point, as I would, that public health has to become a whole-of-government concern and not just simply be packaged into one Department. Health and public health is more important than practically any other consideration in government. It is far too important to be left to the Department of Health. It has to encompass and comprehend efforts across the board, including across all Departments and the wider public administration.

On the question of whether there is a will, I indicated earlier the achievements that have been made by Revenue. I was reading from the advice sheets to which Deputy Peter Mathews took such exception, but I am simply giving information to the House as to precisely what has been achieved.

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