James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are all on the same page and I have some comments. I agree with speakers in that gardaí will have very little to do with this issue, as it will be self-policing. Anybody who sees an adult smoking in a car with a child will take immediate offence and make it very clear to the individuals concerned that a law is being broken and a child is being harmed. It is very important that this forms part of an overall approach to a tobacco-free Ireland and we denormalise smoking, as Senator van Turnhout has indicated. In Fingal smoking is banned where children gather, such as in public parks and playgrounds, etc., and that should be extended.

I am very concerned about the use of e-cigarettes. They may have a role in helping people kick the addiction but they certainly have no role as a lifestyle choice and they should not be marketed as such. We need to remember how many people die every year from smoking - it is 5,200 - and 700,000 Europeans die from smoking every year. Getting the directive on tobacco through Europe was another big win for Ireland and the people of Europe. I attended a non-communicable diseases conference in Europe last week which dealt with diabetes and other chronic illnesses and I was told the World Health Organization held a conference the day before at which it was said there was a lack of political leadership with regard to public health. I would criticise us as politicians in that respect as well, as we find it much easier to open a wing of a hospital or an MRI scanner than to introduce a public health initiative like the one before us.

Having said this, the comment was qualified by noting the two exceptions of Australia and Ireland. The picture was used of the Healthy Ireland document, which contains much about measures to combat tobacco and alcohol use, as well as initiatives to control obesity and promote physical activity. I hope we all agree that across government we must maintain people's health, and it is not just about the Department of Health. We need the Department of Justice and Equality to make products safe and the Department of Finance to impose tax policies to encourage healthier eating and discourage abuse of alcohol and smoking, for example. The list goes one, as the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government could help in providing a safe place to exercise, etc.

Much has been mentioned about the slowness of reform and Bills have been mentioned that are having difficulty. I agree that we must reform our legislative procedures as it takes too long for a Bill to come through. Senator Burke mentioned the Bill I introduced when in opposition that would not allow people register for the Irish Medical Council without having medical insurance. That is yet to come through because of various issues, despite for obvious reasons my being keen to see it enacted. I thank Senator Burke for taking this on through the Seanad process.

I am mindful of Senator Norris's humorous analogies, with many bodily functions brought into play. It was once stated that the Department of Health was akin to Angola but it is my goal - and I would like to think it would be everybody's goal - to turn it into East Anglia.