Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader if she will consider a debate on the harmful and often fatal effects that paracetamol can have. In recent years great strides have been made by allowing only one packet of, for example Panadol, to be sold over the counter but we must do more.

It came to my attention over the summer that people take paracetamol without realising the effect it has on the liver, in particular. This can be a silent and deadly killer. Medical personnel from accident and emergency departments have told me many young people who present themselves have overdosed on paracetamol without realising. Once damage is done to the liver there is no going back.

It is time that Members of the Oireachtas sought to educate people on the matter. It may be an interesting topic to debate at some stage. We can do more than restricting sales to one packet at a time, and we could label the medicine with a warning, for example. We shout about the harmful effects of cigarettes and alcohol on our lives and bodies, but we can see these effects. We do not see the harmful effects that paracetamol can have.