James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate. I commend the Minister on bringing this important, life-saving legislation before the House. No one in this country has not in some way or another been affected by cancer, whether in his or her own home as he or she witnessed the downward spiral of a family member or through the death of a loved one.

Cancer treatment is a significant challenge to our health services. It is a major cause of death in Ireland with 28,000 people diagnosed with the illness each year. That number has increased annually over the past ten years. Improving cancer care support services for patients is a priority for the Government. It has been accused of tiptoeing around the problem, which is not the case, as we have appointed additional consultants specialising in cancer care since coming into office. More people are treated for cancer in our hospitals now compared to ten years ago. We are all aware of links between some forms of skin cancer and the use of sunbeds, especially among younger people with fair skin, and that is the major reason this important Bill to control the use of sunbeds is before us.

Doctors and consultants throughout the country are concerned that sunbeds are overused by children. Previous speakers referred to this and it was a particular phenomenon during the Celtic tiger era. This legislation brings into focus the Government position on an effective approach to sunbed misuse. A total of 9,450 people were diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland in 2010, of whom 896 people were diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of this cancer. There is a 75% increase in the risk of developing melanoma when sunbed use begins before the age of 25. Alarming research by the Irish Cancer Society found that up to 28,000 young people under the age of 25 use sunbeds each year. Without adequate legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds, they could be putting their health at risk in search of a golden tan.

In our programme for Government we are committed to regulating the use of sunbeds. Last year I called on the Minister to bring forward the necessary legislation in order that people, young and old, would be aware of the dangers of over use or over exposure from this type of tanning method. I very much welcome this Bill. Proper regulation of this sector will at least help prevent further cases of skin cancer developing in the future. There is a need for the development of appropriate health education strategies at community, family and individual levels, which require the use of appropriate education methods. The legislation recognises that there are many approaches to the education surrounding sunbed misuse. Research has proved that sunbeds are as dangerous as tobacco or plutonium in causing cancer.

Aside from blocking parlours from admitting anyone under age, the Bill will seek to control the sale and hire of sunbeds, introduce enforcement and ensure staff members receive training. I welcome these restrictions but I believe the legislation should have prohibited people with certain skin types from using sunbeds. There were three children in my family and all of us were red heads while my mother was fair skinned. She always ensured we were not exposed to the sun and she always covered our heads when we attended sports events and so on. Thankfully, we are all still healthy as a result. The Bill should prohibit people with type I and type II skin from using sunbeds, as most people in Ireland have these skin types. Given the evidence that the use of sunbeds poses a major cancer risk, the Bill provides for many controls and I very much welcome that.

I compliment the Minister, his officials and all of those who were involved in drafting this legislation, which is important in the context of the health and safety of the public.

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