Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too want to be associated with this Bill this evening. I thank Deputy Breathnach for bringing it forward. He has demonstrated his perseverance in bringing this Bill here tonight because, since he first came into the House, he has spoken consistently about the illicit trade taking place between North and South, as have his other Border colleagues, who have highlighted it continuously. It is fitting that this Bill should be before us. In recent months, I also have met Lorraine Higgins, the chief executive officer of Retail Excellence. She has spoken repeatedly on this issue and on what her retailers are experiencing on the ground.

Tonight, however, I intend to look at this from a totally different angle. I will not be looking at it just in respect of the illicit goods but in respect of those who participate in the trade. In respect of many of these issues, it can be seen that children are participating. In many cases, they are the mules for the sale of the illicit drugs, that is, the cigarettes and the alcohol. Earlier this year, my colleagues and I brought forward a "Fagin's law" to try to protect the children at the centre of the issue. Only recently, I visited Ballymun with Councillor Paul McAuliffe, who spoke about young people who are still at the centre of the sale of these illicit drugs, be they alcohol or tobacco.

What is really important about the legislation being brought forward tonight - it is regrettable that the Minister of State does not see it through these eyes - is that from a child protection point of view, we are putting the onus on the adult who purchases the goods. There is a fine and a sentence. There is reference to the first, second and third offence. What we are trying to do is to put the onus back on the adult. The adult should have the responsibility to ask where is the regulation or the governance regarding the goods he or she is buying. That is what we are trying to do and is what this legislation is about. It is far too easy for adults to use children as pawns in the centre. This legislation tries to protect children, give them back their childhoods and, sometimes, protect their lives. Children are being used right across this country in the sale of illicit drugs and that is wrong. It is incumbent on all of us here to be very serious about the child protection rules. This is one opportunity to protect children.

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