Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

I want to raise the issue of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, with the Minister. Because it is used in medical, industrial and commercial applications, nitrous oxide is cheap and accessible, but it is also extremely harmful. I am sure the Minister has seen the discarded containers, small silver bullets and big industrial containers. You see them in parks, car parks and playgrounds across the city. It is a big disposal issue and a nightmare for Dublin City Council and other local authorities. I went to a waste-to-energy plant recently and saw first-hand the damage they can cause because they explode in the combustion chamber, causing shutdown and a potential risk to staff. A recent Department of Health report states that services are needed 24-7 to meet the needs of all those who use these substances, as well as highlighting a need to tackle nitrous oxide use at source among children and young people. We need an urgent and comprehensive cross-government response to what is a clear danger to young people, in particular, in our society today.

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