Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there are health regulations governing the practice of spitting in public on the street; if so, the way in which same is enforced and if it is enforced by environmental health inspectors or other; and if details of any enforcement action under her Department will be provided to this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18534/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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There are no health regulations regarding spitting in public. Serious respiratory illnesses can be spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. During the pandemic flu crisis, great emphasis was placed on respiratory hygiene and a public information campaign utilising the slogan 'catch it, bin it, kill it' was undertaken to encourage the public to practice correct respiratory and hand hygiene practices when coughing and sneezing in order to prevent the spread of disease. I would encourage members of the public to continue to follow this advice and avoid spitting in public.