Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister on bringing this legislation to the House.

Today is a good day for the public health of the nation in terms of the passage by the Seanad of the legislation governing the use of sunbeds and the introduction of this legislation. I congratulate the Minister on bringing forth both pieces of legislation. It is disheartening to hear that the average smoker began smoking at around 16 years of age. The health consequences of that throughout a person's life are horrendous. It was mentioned that 5,200 people die as a result of smoking. Many other people are also affected, including relatives, friends and others who often suffer respiratory illness and poor health as a result of second-hand smoke. In addition to those who lose their lives there are knock-on consequences for many others.

This legislation is a major step in the right direction. I do not believe that the Government, the Minister or the Irish people should be bullied by the tobacco industry. In terms of my use of the word "bullied", I believe that is what the tobacco industry is doing. I agree with Senator van Turnhout that the smuggling issue is a red herring being floated by the industry. I contributed to the previous debate in this House on cigarette smoking, following which I received a request from representatives of the industry to meet with me to discuss some of my commentary. I met with them but the only item on the agenda was the smuggling issue, which is being fed by the industry because it produces the cigarettes. While some of the smuggled cigarettes are produced in factories which are not regulated, the vast majority of them are made in regulated factories. In terms of the smuggling issue, the industry is flying a red herring.

The Minister might when responding indicate whether European approval is required before this legislation can be implemented. I agree with Senators van Turnhout, Mooney and others that the sooner this legislation is implemented the better. The lead-in period should be only two or three months. I again congratulate the Minister on the introduction of this legislation. It is not often Members on this side of the House praise Ministers. However, today we praise the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly.