Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Minister back to the House. Every time someone puts forward an idea here we stand up and thank and congratulate that Senator. I genuinely thank the Senators involved for bringing this forward because although this is a simple Bill it is one of the best I have seen here. We need to reform the process whereby when the Opposition comes up with a good idea, a good Bill or suggestion, we accept and study it for what it is, rather than turn it down just because it comes from the Opposition.

Thirty years ago, when I was driving my car with my father-in-law and my son, who was four at the time, my son piped up from the back seat to say, "Grandad, please stop smoking in the car. It is horrible". Out of the mouth of babes, as they say. To this day nobody has ever smoked in our car because I decided he was right. I had not the courage to say it. From that day, however, we have had the courage to say that we do not want people smoking in the car or we do not allow it. Over 30 years ago my son realised that it was not nice to be sitting in a car with smoke in it. Today he is in the same profession as Senator Crown, albeit at a much lower level. He is a general practitioner. He cannot abide smoking. He thinks that it is one of the worst things a person can do for their health.

This is an excellent Bill. I urge the Minister not to let it sit but to move on it and pass it. Sometimes the simplest things are overlooked. We have made it compulsory to wear seat belts in cars, banned speaking on mobile telephones while driving, and introduced seats for children. Why can we not bring in this ban? It is easy enough to police. If gardaí when they stop us at night can put their heads into the car to check for the smell of alcohol they can certainly smell smoke too.

Whatever about banning it completely, which may be a good idea, at least adults can say, "Please do not smoke in my car", whereas children sitting in the back cannot very well say that. I ask the Minister to please not leave this parked for too long and to bring forward whatever amendments he must as quickly as possible to get this Bill initiated.