Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy regarding the use of sun beds; the legislation that she proposes to introduce with regard to the usage of sun beds; and the timeframe involved. [30753/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I have asked my Department to prepare proposals for consideration by the Government to restrict the use of sunbeds. My Department has completed a public consultation on the matter and has indicated that the following measures may be circulated from the outset:

Restrict the use of sunbeds to those 18 years and over;

Ban commercial sunbed services where such services are not supervised;

Require the placing of warning signs in prominent places on premises where sunbed services are offered;

Require the placing of warning labels on sunbeds, whether for sale or use on business premises;

Require proprietors of sunbed businesses offering sunbed services to register with the HSE;

Introduce enforcement provisions to enable inspections to be carried out and penalties for non-compliance;

Allow exemptions in respect of the use of sunbeds for medical use.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for product safety matters generally and discussions have been arranged between the two Departments to consider product safety matters arising in the context of the proposed legislation.

The timing of when these provisions might be introduced is dependent on consideration by Government and the legislative process. In addition, it should be noted that it is a requirement of the Transparency Directive that the EU Commission be notified of legislation which proposes to change the basis on which a product or service is regulated in a particular Member State. This provides an opportunity for Member States and the Commission to submit observations on the draft legislation.