Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I welcome this Bill and its various provisions, which I believe are for the common good, especially those designed to combat tobacco smoking. I believe a progressive Legislature sometimes should be ahead of public opinion in enacting progressive measures that modify behaviour, eventually change attitudes resulting in the common good for all. I believe changing attitudes towards tobacco smoking will be effected by plain packaging. For far too long, this poisonous carcinogenic drug has been socially acceptable as part of everyday life in such a way as to have become normal. The scenario in which children in their buggies were being pushed into shops in which displays of advertising for this killer substance were the norm thankfully now is in the past and this is the time to adopt the same treatment for the packaging. Over a single year, between 5,000 and 6,000 people die in this State from smoking related diseases. Nicotine addiction should be treated with the seriousness it merits. It is fatal and still is too socially acceptable. From when children are very young, they should be learning that smoking is no rite of passage into adulthood but instead that to fall into nicotine addiction is a terrible thing to happen to anyone. There is not a single good feature of nicotine addiction, despite the brainwashing in which the tobacco companies engage. It is dangerous, often fatal, dirty and expensive and any talk of stress relief or enjoyment simply is pure rubbish, as is the case with any addictive substance. I also am glad the provisions in this Bill are bringing closer the day when smoking tobacco becomes socially unacceptable and are bringing us to a smoke-free Ireland as soon as possible.

Another issue I wish to mention is the exclusion of the ex gratiapayments to the victims of symphisiotomy and other such payments from the means testing of fair deal payments, which also is welcome. These people, along with those who have been otherwise mistreated by agents of the State, should not then be penalised by other State bodies for having received deserved compensation for their suffering. We also should be moving toward a scenario, as was mentioned earlier, in which the family farm is equally discounted. There are all sorts of incentives for farmers to sign over their farm to the next generation but there are many reasons some elderly farmers do not wish to so do. Sometimes, other issues such as dementia or whatever else, may be present. When such people are in need of nursing home care and wish to avail of the fair deal scheme, they find their entire holding is taken into account in the calculation of the means payment. There is a case for only the dwelling being accounted, as would be the case for a non-farmer. The portion which is taken by the State for the care of the elderly relative can seriously diminish the value on the family farm's earnings and thus affect its viability. In most parts of the country and in the west in particular, family farm income is low at present.

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In County Leitrim, it is below €11,000 per annum for every farmer. It is a serious situation that the family farm would be taken into account. I hope this is something that can be rectified soon.

While the Bill in many ways is as much about keeping people well as about health care, the serious issue that needs to be dealt with is investment in the entire health service. A big part of that, as was mentioned by others, is investment in services, such as home help for the elderly, more nurses and more beds in hospitals, home care packages and community services. Mental health services, in particular, have been greatly disadvantaged over the years and need greater investment.

I welcome the Bill and all the provisions in it and I hope the other issues which have been mentioned by many Deputies here will be taken seriously and dealt with.

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