Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In commending the Bill to the House, I commend the Minister on his personal efforts in bringing this legislation to the House. I know he has had a very strong personal commitment to the reduction of tobacco use in this State. The Government is resolute. The Government, Parliament and people should be resolute and stay the course in the face of threats, intimidation and bullying tactics from organisations whose sole purpose is to sell a product that harms and kills people on a daily basis in this country. The Minister's final words summed it up. There were children in the Visitors' Gallery some minutes ago. The legislation the Minister is bringing forward today will discourage some of them from starting to smoke and will, in effect, save their lives. That is what this is about, so I commend the Minister and the Bill.

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