Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for introducing this legislation in the Seanad. I thank him and the officials from the Department of Health for their personal commitment to it. I also thank the legal advisers who ensure we are well armed. I note too the contribution of the advocacy organisations, particularly the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation, and the children’s rights organisations, and the young people we met who were the most convincing advocates. I encourage other organisations not to do the dirty work of the tobacco industry. Let it do its own dirty work.

I welcome the Minister’s commitment to considering the transitional arrangements in the Dáil and the wash-through period. I look forward to seeing that reduced in the Dáil process.

I encourage the Minister to bring forward the Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Bill 2012 to complete its passage before the summer recess. It will start in the Dáil on 8 and 9 July but I do not see why all Stages cannot be quickly dealt with. Senator Crown, who initiated the Bill with me and Senator Daly, would agree. I encourage the Minister to send out strong signals before the summer recess.