Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I would like to remind the House of some keys facts from the World Health Organization. Tobacco kills up to half of its users and approximately 6 million people each year globally. Why is the taxpayer continuing to invest in this sector? I refer the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, to a previous statement by the former Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, during the passage of the aforementioned legislation to the effect that the NTMA must consult with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who may consult other Ministers and must have regard to their views. Has this been done and, if not, why not?

The issue of investment in fossil fuel extraction has been raised by other Members of the Oireachtas. I appreciate the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, taking the time to deal with this important issue. However, I intend to continue to pursue this issue and will be working with others to bring a motion or resolution before the Seanad seeking that the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform do exactly as provided for under the legislation and thereby bring to an end the hypocrisy whereby the NTMA, through ISIF, holds financial positions in companies that are suing the State and the Minister for Health in the knowledge that one out of two users will die from use of these products. We need to seek a timely unwinding of such investments held by the State.