Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the continuing delay in bringing forward the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16434/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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My Department has completed a public consultation exercise in relation to the introduction of restrictions on the use of sunbeds. It has also met with key stakeholders including the Irish Cancer Society, the Sunbed Association of Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation and the HSE. It is currently finalising a Regulatory Impact Assessment prior to seeking Government approval to draft Heads of a Bill. Subject to Government approval, I envisage that the Bill will provide for the following:

Prohibiting the use of sunbeds by those under 18 years of age;

Introducing measures in relation to the sale or hiring of sunbeds;

Banning unsupervised sunbed use in commercial settings;

Requiring the placing of warning signs on premises where sunbed services are offered to the public;

Requiring the placing of warning labels on sunbeds;

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

Introducing enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance;

Allowing exemptions in respect of the use of sunbeds for medical purposes.