Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

The EU studies have shown harm to reproductive health of people working in medical settings caused by nitrous oxide. These studies showed there is a decreased level of fertility in these workers. My fear is that people who are misusing nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, are taking much more concentrated doses than those who took part in these studies. There has also been a 175% increase in the number of young people who are presenting to the HSE with problems from nitrous oxide in the past year. It can have fatal consequences. I did a quick search online today and I can buy any amount of nitrous oxide. There are very few balances and checks. It comes in flavours, similar to vapes, such as strawberry and apple. It is targeted towards children. Is the Minister aware that the EU passed a delegated Act that classified nitrous oxide as harmful to reproductive health and it plans to prohibit the sale in 2027? Will the Government wait for the EU or will it act now in the best interests of our communities?

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