Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure tighter regulations of sunbed use, in particular the banning of the use of sunbeds for all those under the age of 18 as called for by the Irish Cancer Society; her views on the fact that at present there are no rules or regulations governing sunbeds despite the high level of skin cancer here and the links between UV light and skin cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15455/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the medical staff in my Department that ultraviolet light, either through natural exposure or sunbed exposure, increases the risk of developing skin cancer, particularly melanoma. The use of sunbeds leads to damage from ultraviolet radiation in the same way as sunlight exposure. Exposure in childhood is associated with even greater risks of subsequent melanoma.

The National Cancer Forum has considered measures to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the context of the development of the new national cancer control strategy. The forum submitted the strategy to me in January and my Department is currently considering the document prior to submission to Government.