Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is no need for that.

I thank the Department of Health and the relevant Ministers for bringing forward this legislation. The health issue with which it deals is extremely important. The evidence for the relationship between sunbeds and skin cancer is indisputable. Previous speakers went into great detail in describing that relationship. There is no argument which can be used in defence of the use of sunbeds. The legislation focuses on people under a particular age. Sunbeds are bad for young people but they are also bad for those who are not so young. The only distinction which can be made between the two is on the basis of age. Some very good research has been carried out internationally and here in Ireland in respect of the relationship between cancer and sunbeds and all of it shows that using sunbeds is bad for people, both young and old.

I only have one reservation about the Bill. I understand the Minister's comment to the effect that the use of sunbeds must be regulated. There is ample evidence which shows that self-regulation has not worked. Previous speakers referred to deals where people can buy one sunbed session and get another free. Deputy O'Reilly was right to mention the huge expansion in the number of sunbed operators during the Celtic tiger era. To use that awful phrase, "The have not gone away, you know". What sunbed operators have done is reduced their prices and introduced the two-for-one deals to which I refer. If one avails of such offers, one will die more quickly. The more often one uses a sunbed, the more likely one is to develop cancer.

I have already informed the Minister, Deputy Reilly, of my reservation in respect of the Bill. My mind has not changed since I spoke to him so I take this opportunity to formally place that reservation on the record of the House. My reservation relates to the fact that the Bill does not go far enough. There should be an outright ban on the commercial operators of sunbeds. I have yet to hear anyone in this House argue in defence of commercial sunbed operators. On Sunday last the authorities in the Australian state of Queensland very bravely decided to introduce an outright ban on such operators. Those involved will only be compensated to the tune of $1,000 or $2,000. If one visits the state of Queensland after 31 December, one will not be able to find commercial operators offering the use of sunbeds. As already stated, Ireland should follow suit and opt for an outright ban. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, will restate my view on this matter to the Minister. We have an opportunity to introduce an outright ban in respect of this very important health issue. Let us vote to ban sunbeds altogether.

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