Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this measure but it is important that the funding is ring-fenced. Earlier today the Minister for Finance said the funding will go to the provision of child care supports. I welcome the investment being put into that area. As I have said before, however, reform of child benefit could be used for that purpose. I would like to see the money generated by tobacco sales used for long-term prevention within the health sector. We always look at the health service from the point of view of fire brigade action rather than considering steps we can take today that can have a long-term impact on the health of the nation. Increasing the price of cigarettes will have an impact because we hope it will have a deterrent effect on those who already smoke and on those who would take up smoking.

The money generated from this and specifically from the 50 cent increase should be ring-fenced for new preventative measures within the health sector. For example, there is a national car test, NCT, but we do not have a national health test for people. Why not introduce that once every four years, whereby everyone would have a free comprehensive health check that would that would identify diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and deal with them at a far earlier stage, which would save the health service an absolute fortune in the long term? That makes far more sense.

It is estimated that approximately €1 billion is being lost through the illicit trade in this country. That €1 billion would fund approximately 1 million additional medical cards across this State, which would have a major impact on improving health standards. Surely it makes sense to try to clamp down on the illicit trade.

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