Results 481-500 of 1,546 for speaker:Áine Brady

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I thank the Deputies for their contributions and I refer to the Fine Gael amendments. If a retailer is convicted of an offence under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, he or she is liable to a fine of up to €3,000, a period of imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both, and to a period of suspension from the retail register. The period of suspension is in addition to any fine or term...

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: To answer Deputy Perry, the guidelines for those selling tobacco products were sent to them with the only sign that is allowed to be displayed indicating that tobacco products are to be sold only to those over 18.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: Yes, and the feedback has been positive. If Deputy Perry has been in any of the shops he will notice that the cigarette machines are covered.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: The Deputy should do that. I did not respond to his test purchasing question. The test purchasing, which is organised by the Health Service Executive, is a recognised way of enforcing tobacco legislation. It is conducted in line with a protocol developed by the HSE. The under age test purchasers are normally children of HSE staff. We could not suggest that these parents would put their...

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: The protocol is clear that the primary concern is for the welfare of the minor. Without test purchasing, it is difficult to know how under-age sales could be policed. The period of suspension is mandatory. The penalties apply to many offences other than the sale of cigarettes to minors. It was decided, for the reasons already outlined, that judicial discretion was the best option. I...

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I have dealt with the points made by Deputy Reilly and I regret I am unable to accept these amendments.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I regret I am not able to accept Deputy Ó Caoláin's suggestion. I pointed out why I cannot do so and will not elaborate on it further. However, I assure Deputy Jan O'Sullivan that the legislation will be kept under review. I want workable legislation and what I have proposed is what I consider the most workable.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: Amendment No. 10 is not required. The existing legislation bans marketing images and colours associated with particular brands, for example, gold, purple and blue. They are caught by that prohibition. This point was raised with the Office of the Attorney General when the 2009 Bill was being drafted.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: If a brand no longer exists then there is no product to recommend to the public and the display of the name of the brand could not be seen as recommending that product. The sign does not have to be an antique as long as the brand is not on the market. Signs and memorabilia connected with brands which are no longer on the market may therefore continue to be displayed. Amendment No. 11 is...

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: Such a shop cannot have cigarettes, but one must apply for an exemption to have tobacco products on display in a specialist shop.

Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: Some 90% of the shop's profit would come from cigarettes so people would not open a shop and apply for an exemption just to sell tobacco products.

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I wish to report to the Seanad an amendment agreed on Committee Stage in the Dáil giving effect to exemptions from the charge for certain persons vacating their home due to long-term incapacity due to illness, and for certain persons providing accommodation for relatives. Senators will recall we had an engaging and productive debate on the Bill in the Seanad two weeks ago. In the course of...

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I thank the Senators for their remarks. They have made a significant and an important contribution to this Bill. It is the better for such consideration and the local authorities will benefit from its enactment. We look forward to a revitalised local government system with the introduction of this new local government charge. Senator Coffey raised the issue of holiday homes and this matter...

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I will convey that point to the Minister. This matter will be kept under review. Senator Doherty raised the issue of advertising this charge. It will be advertised in the daily newspapers. The Department will fund it and 31 July and not 1 July will be the operative date. Local authorities will supplement such advertising with local advertising and both will be overseen by a project board...

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: It had not been the intention to do so. It will be advertised in the daily newspapers.

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: We will consider that. I will convey that view to the Minister. Bill reported without amendment.

Seanad: Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: On my own behalf and on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, I thank the Senators for their positive contributions. I assure them the Bill will be monitored closely. I appreciate what Senators have said in that regard. I thank them and wish them a well deserved break.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: Members of the Seanad are aware that significant provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts were commenced two weeks ago on Wednesday, 1 July 2009. These provide that no advertising or display of tobacco products will be permitted in any retail premises that sells tobacco products and also require retailers to ensure that their tobacco products are stored out of view, within a closed...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I note in particular the concerns expressed about the proposed removal of the mandatory 90 day suspension from the retail register of a retailer who commits an offence. This point was carefully considered when the legislation was being drafted and I am confident that the proposed change will better serve the long-term tobacco control agenda. A...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Áine Brady: We are dealing with amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 4 to 11, inclusive. On the issue of the monitoring and enforcement of the legislation, the Office of Tobacco Control is responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of the national tobacco control inspection programme in order to ensure there is compliance with this important public health legislation. Environmental health office, EHOs,...