Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As recently as December this year, a neurologist specialist, and I was on one of the radio debates with her, spoke about the long-term damage that nitrous oxide could be causing young people. There is a range of sensory issues among patients who have presented, including numbness in their hands, feet and extremities, as well as serious issues with balance, problems with their heart rates and mental health issues. I have also submitted additional legislation to the Bills Office, in conjunction with Deputy Seán Crowe, which would strengthen the legislation the Deputy has submitted. It is to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide to commercial use only. This legislation is similar to what was introduced in Holland, where the authorities are regulating the use of nitrous oxide outside the medical and catering industries. This Bill would not criminalise the young person at the end of the process but it would give the Garda the power to seize the canisters from young people. As said, young people are playing Russian roulette. This is something on which we could work on a cross-party basis.

I hope to get the Minister's support when this Bill is introduced.

See this speech in context