Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the stimulant and energy drinks Bill tabled by Senator Keogan and colleagues. I acknowledge the intent behind this legislation, which is clearly driven by a genuine concern for the health and well-being of young people and which I think is a concern we all equally share.

While we are not opposing the Bill, further work needs to be put into it. There is undoubtedly merit in examining the growing consumption of high-caffeine and high-sugar drinks by children and teenagers and the very real health implications that come with it, as other Senators have mentioned, such as poor sleep, increased anxiety, attention difficulties and, in extreme cases, heart complications.

However, we must also approach this with a sense of proportion, practicality and long-term thinking. We have seen time and again that banning something does not make it go away. We need only look at our history with alcohol, tobacco and illicit substances. Prohibition rarely eliminates the demand; it often just pushes it underground, into black markets and removes the ability to regulate it safely. The same could easily come true of drinks, particularly in communities where trust in institutions is quite fragile.

The other questions lie in how this would actually be enforced. How do we really stop those under the age of 18 from buying energy drinks via vending machines - I note the Senator put that into the Bill – and food delivery apps, or simply asking an older person to buy them for them? Would the legislation also extend to online orders and imported goods? The logistics need a little bit of fleshing out.

There is also the wider issue of consistency. If we are beginning to ban energy drinks, we are opening a door to calls for restrictions on protein supplements, vitamin boosters or other high-caffeine or stimulant-based products in health food stores or gyms. Where is the line drawn, and who decides that line?

We cannot, however, agree with the Government’s proposal to postpone this for 18 months. That is just simply kicking the conversation down the road. Committee Stage of the Bill can be taken. The urgency of the issue deserves a timely and thoughtful legislative response instead of further delays.

That being said, I want to be clear that we are more than willing to work with Senator Keogan on this Bill. If this Bill is to progress, it needs clear definitions, more robust evidence and a practical, enforceable framework that will not backfire or criminalise young people for making impulsive decisions. We should use this Bill as a starting point, not just to look at bans but to have a broader, more meaningful conversation about youth health, digital advertising, education and food literacy. Ultimately, this is not just about energy drinks but about giving young people the tools to make better choices and building a system that supports them to do just that.