Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There is nothing any of us in this House can say that can undo the pain, harm and loss experienced by those young boys, their families and the communities in which they lived, played basketball and worked. They have had to endure a lifetime of harm, many of them carrying their suffering in silence.”
“We are listening to you, we are learning and we are acting. All of us in this House have a responsibility to ensure that our child safeguarding systems are robust. We must ensure that if concerns are raised today, they are acted on without delay.”
“Today is a profoundly important and solemn day. I want to add my voice to the full and formal State apology and to acknowledge the courage, dignity and perseverance of those survivors who fought for truth and accountability for so many years.”
“I thank the Deputy for highlighting this very important issue and the 161 recommendations. First, I thank the Joint Committee on Drug Use for its work. I welcomed the report and I am in agreement with many of its recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year I published a draft of the national drugs strategy.”
“The Bill and the secondary legislation, training and clinical protocols that will follow it will support the terms and conditions for this service, as laid out in the community pharmacy agreement. All secondary legislation will be in place before commencement and launch of this measure.”
“No. I thank the Deputy again for her work on the drugs committee. The vast majority of the 161 recommendations will be in the new drugs strategy but one of the recommendations was on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It falls under section 3. That legalises drugs. It is important we tell the people of the concern.”
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“The council has to go out there regularly and empty the septic tanks. This is in 2026. My concern is that we are always announcing the funding is coming. As I said, this project was announced two years ago and we are still in the same position. Another area that has been very much highlighted to me is the wastewater treatment in Ballinabrannagh, County Carlow. It was the same in Ballinabrannagh. Announcements were made but we still have not got the go-ahead for a certain amount of the work there. These are challenges we really need to look at. The programme for Government is about delivery and we cannot do that if we do not have the proper services there. Another issue I was very much working on about two or three years ago was the case of Ardattin, County Carlow. I am raising the rural places because rural Ireland is so important.”
“I thank the Minister. We have challenges and we are very aware of that. Building houses is a priority for this Government. The more houses we deliver the better. This is about the families, communities and people who need housing. In my area of Carlow, for example, through our local authority, we are looking at land that has been serviced. We need to look at serviced sites. That is really important. I am going to raise a few issues I am very mindful of within my area. There was to be the extension of the wastewater treatment system from Grange to Tullow in County Carlow. The funding was allocated to this project two years ago but we have not yet even started the work. The issue is that Grange is a small area. It is a lovely area to live in. There is a primary school there with a large number of children.”
“The Department is open to examining any information that may assist in establishing the circumstances surrounding the concerns raised by the Senator here today. I assure him and anyone listening who may have personal experience of institutional settings that concerns of this nature, such as the one highlighted here today, are approached with upmost seriousness. Should relevant information be provided, it will receive careful and thorough consideration. Again, I thank Patricia and Bryan for being here today and highlighting Carmel. It is important that we remember Carmel here today. I thank them and thank the Senator for bringing this case here.”
“This is really important. As the Senator said, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was apologetic that she could not come today. She is aware of this. I thank Patricia and Bryan for being here to highlight this. Everybody is affected as we know from anyone we have spoken to who has been in mother and baby homes. It is important that we work together on this new Bill. Concerns relating to historic inappropriate or unlawful detention of children are among the most serious that can arise in the context of our health and social care services. Such concerns go to the centre of our collective responsibility to safeguard the people who are most vulnerable in our society and require compassion and care in how we respond.”
“It is forward-thinking, person-centred legislation and represents a huge step forward in the vindication of the rights of people accessing mental health services particularly those who are involuntarily admitted and accessing services in acute mental health settings. The Bill will also expand regulatory powers of the Mental Health Commission to include all community mental health services and teams, including community child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, to ensure our patients’ residential and community services are provided with the highest possible quality of care. This work reflects the State's ongoing commitment to ensuring that our mental health legislation continues to evolve in line with the international human rights standards. Again, I thank the Senator for raising this really important issue.”
“The Act also provided that detained individuals had the right to contact the Minister for Health, the inspector of mental hospitals or the President of the High Court. The inspector was further required to visit any patient whose justification for detention he had reason to doubt. If any individuals believe they may have an historical claim in relation to time spent in a psychiatric institution, they can bring their concerns to the HSE, or they may wish to seek legal advice. I want to highlight that substantial reform of mental health legislation is under way through the new Mental Health Bill 2024, which is currently before the Seanad, led by my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler. This is one of the most significant modernisations of mental health law in the history of the State.”
“While the Department is not currently aware of evidence of such unlawful or inappropriate placements, any such concern is treated with the utmost seriousness and will be fully considered should relevant information become available. Any consideration of whether an inquiry would be warranted would need to take account of all relevant information. It is important to note that, prior to the introduction of the Mental Health Act 2001, involuntary admission to psychiatric institutions was governed by the Mental Treatment Act 1945. Under that Act, a person could be admitted and detained as a "temporary patient" or as a "person of unsound mind" following an application, a medical certificate signed by a doctor and a reception order signed by a consultant psychiatrist.”
“The Government remains committed to addressing this legacy with empathy, honesty and accountability, in line with the State’s wider response to the mother and baby homes commission of investigation. Work continues across government through the action plan for survivors of mother and baby homes, led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and my colleague the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley. The Department of Health is an active contributor to this work, and engagement also continues with the special advocate for survivors of institutional abuse. The Senator’s specific query relates to whether the Minister for Health will order an inquiry into historical placements of children in adult mental health institutions. I just want to address what has been raised with me today.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important and sensitive matter concerning the treatment of children who resided in mother and baby homes and the testimonies in relation to unlawful or inappropriate committal to adult mental health institutions. I thank Patricia and Bryan for being here. It is important that we remember Carmel and highlight the concerns that Patricia and the family have brought here today. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, who has been in this House several times recently debating the new Mental Health Bill. I acknowledge the profound hurt and distress that so many survivors of institutional settings continue to carry.”
“I believe that the timed amendment provides the necessary space for this analysis. I have heard Deputy Ward speak on this several times. I know his commitment. Working in my own remit in the Department of Health and on the drugs strategy, we see things changing all the time. I thank Deputy Ward.”
“Where something like nitrous oxide is widely available and has many legitimate uses, such as catering and in the motor industry, preventing harm is difficult but I know that my Government colleagues share my determination. This has been a really useful debate and I thank the Deputies, particularly Deputy Mark Ward, who I have worked with for a long time. He and Deputy Seán Crowe have worked extremely hard on this. I see their concerns. I know we are putting it back by nine months but I know the Bill is important. The contributions, and steps the Deputies have taken, are really important. I know, like the Deputies, that these are life issues that are being discussed, which relate directly to public health, community safety, and our obligation to correctly comply with EU laws. The approach of the Government this evening reflects that.”
“I know that it is worrying and that people are frustrated as they see companies flouting the law or advertising these substances. As Minister of State at the Department of Health, I am committed to protecting the health of our young people. I will be working with my Government colleagues on the best way to do this. As we saw the rise of HHC before it was banned, new trends are constantly emerging with serious consequences for health. I want to ensure that under our new national drugs strategy, which I will soon be bringing to Government, our health system is responsive and people can access the information and help they need.”
“It is a trade and enterprise issue for the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. As the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, outlined, there are important developments at EU level which must be considered carefully in our response. Given the number of Departments involved, it is important that we work together on this challenge. A coherent and consistent approach is therefore essential. These issues need to be considered in a broader context to ensure a more developed legislative policy and operational infrastructure that addresses the issues. I am conscious of the concerns of this House and among parents as we see increasing use of nitrous oxide and the evidence from doctors of the serious harm that it is causing.”
“Some €1.5 million has been allocated in my Department for a three-year drug and alcohol prevention and education programme which aims to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use and related harm among children and young people. We know that the challenge of regulating nitrous oxide cuts across multiple Departments and existing laws. It is a public health issue for my Department and the HSE. It is a public order issue for the Department of justice and An Garda Síochána. I also commend the work of Revenue in tackling the illegal importation of nitrous oxide at our ports. That is another area that we have to strengthen. I compliment it for its work. It is an environmental issue concerning hazardous waste disposal for the Department of the environment.”
“These fact sheets have been distributed to the drug and alcohol task forces, student unions, at festivals, and to third level institutions. Social media channels and drugs.ie provide nitrous oxide content that is informative, helpful and shareable. The HSE social media team responds directly to people's questions about substances, including nitrous oxide, through direct messaging on all channels. The HSE's social media posts also drive web traffic to its dedicated content on drugs.ie . I know that we need to do more. That is why the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I are saying this. We will work with Deputies on it. Strengthening the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy.”
“The European Union Drugs Agency has conducted an EU-wide review of nitrous oxide and it highlighted several key issues regarding the prevention of use, including the role of youth workers, targeted distribution of messages, and the role of parents. In line with the EU Drugs Agency's recommendations, the HSE continues to provide a targeted approach, working together with drug and alcohol task forces around the country. We have 24 task forces. I know and value their work. This is important. Parents are offered information on nitrous oxide by the HSE in various formats. It is important that they are well informed. Specific information is available on drugs.ie and through a parent fact sheet. The HSE has developed a harm reduction fact sheet. It is including the risks, effects and harm reduction advice.”
“I am also conscious that there is a major environmental problem with the disposal of the canisters, which are seen littering many of our towns and villages. The HSE continues to monitor the use of nitrous oxide, which is commonly known as laughing gas. As other speakers have said, it is most commonly known as laughing gas. It is important to tailor appropriate and targeted messages. Targeted advertisements are shared every few weeks on the topic of nitrous oxide with audiences over the age of 18 as well as messages which aim to create awareness of long-term use and signs of concern which people can look out for. There is awareness. We need to look again at whether we need to adjust it and how we work on that but there is awareness and it is important that we get that message out.”
“In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, one of my main priorities is to respond to emerging trends and to reduce the harm caused by misuse of substances. Prevention and awareness are crucial, which was brought up tonight. I am mindful of that in helping our young people as they navigate a society where the drugs and substance situation is evolving. I know we spoke about the drugs strategy. We have not had a drugs strategy in ten years. It is nearly ready. I should have it in the next few days for the committee. Everything is changing all the time. It is important that we are ahead of this, how we look at it and how we get the right solutions.”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Related Products Bill 2025 be deemed to be read a second time this day nine months.". Following on from my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan's earlier remarks, I too commend the Deputies on their Bill, which attempts to address the scourge of nitrous oxide misuse and its damaging effects on public health, communities and young people in particular. While we share the aim and acknowledge the intentions behind the Bill, the Government is not convinced that this approach is the correct way of achieving it. However, I commend Deputies on their willingness to explore solutions to this problem.”
“By banning single-use vapes, we are taking further action to protect young people from nicotine addiction and to prevent a new generation from becoming dependent on these products. This is about protecting health and well-being in particular for younger people. I look forward to returning to the House when we have finalised, comprehensive laws on other aspects of vapes and other tobacco products such a nicotine pouches. I know there will be further debate on Committee Stage. I hope Members will work with us in ultimately enacting this important legislation. I thank everyone. This is really important legislation. It is important we get it through the House as soon as possible. We are ready with the enforcements and the team from the HSE on awareness. With all of us working together, it will be game-changing.”
“Our national tobacco control policy, Tobacco Free Ireland, is currently being reviewed. This review will consider the full range of existing legislation and voluntary measures to protect the public from second-hand smoke and aerosols, which came up a lot today, and whether they should be strengthened. This will be done in the context of Council recommendations on smoke and aerosol-free environments which recommend that member states protect the public from second-hand smoke and aerosols in a range of indoor and outdoor spaces with a particular focus on spaces for children, education and healthcare. Education is key to this. As I said earlier, this legislation is about prevention.”
“On taxing of vapes, last year, my colleagues and the Minister for Finance placed a tax on e-liquids of 50 cent per ml. This was put on as an incentive not to buy them. The delay and industry pressure came up as well. There was a suggestion there were delays in bringing this law forward owing to industry pressures on the Department of Health. I assure the House neither the Department of Health nor I engaged with any tobacco or vaping industry. Ireland is part a framework convention on tobacco control which provides that parties should protect their public health policy from interference by the tobacco industry. The Department of Health actively complies with the legal requirements and has urged other Government Departments, public representatives and public officials to do the same.”
“That has been worked through with the Office of the Attorney General. We are satisfied this has the intended effect. Time given for prosecutions and offences also came up. This is a standard provision in the tobacco control law. It ensures our National Environmental Health Service has enough time to prepare a robust case for any prosecution taken. Resources were also brought up. As Members know, we work closely with the HSE to provide sufficient resources for our National Environmental Health Service, our enforcement body. More resources would allow our environmental health officers to do more. In budget 2026, I am delighted to say I secured an extra environmental health officer in each region which will help with enforcement matters. We have extra staff in each region. The team has worked very hard on that.”
“One in particular was why the two Bills are separate instead of one. This was on the advice of the Attorney General and due to the regulatory framework for single-use vapes being different from that of the nicotine inhaling products. Our plans to restrict flavours, regular packaging and restrict point-of-sale displays for nicotine inhaling products will be delivered in the public health (tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products) (amendment) Bill. This Bill will be drafted by the end of the month. We are working hard with the Department and my team. It will be drafted by the end of the month and, subject to Cabinet approval, will then be ready to enter the Houses. There was also concern about the definition of single-use vapes. The definition used is based on a UK law.”
“The Bill will also ban the advertising of these products in shops such as supermarkets and convenience stores as well as specialist shops and the vape shops we see popping up. With the new licensing system coming in, pop-up shops will not be able to get a licence. People spoke about the number of pop-up shops. I have written to local authorities about this. We will ban the retail display of these products in supermarkets, convenience stores and other mixed retail outlets. An awareness campaign came up today as well. I am mindful of that. Working with my Department, which I would like to thank for its hard work, and the HSE, we will have a big awareness campaign on this. We will go into schools and will advertise it. I am mindful of that around the country. A few issues were raised.”
“We saw how quickly vapes increased in use among our young people and how widely available the different colours and flavours became. It happened so quickly. We do not want the same thing to happen with other nicotine products. It is important that a comprehensive law addresses new products as it is constantly changing. The further approved measures we are currently finalising will prohibit the sale of these products and any future nicotine products to any person under the age of 18. The next Bill will restrict colours and imagery on the packages of vapes and on devices to make them less attractive to children. It will also restrict the flavours available and ban all flavour descriptors and language other than the basic flavour names. This is to remove the marketing potential of the use of child-friendly flavours which is important.”
“The consultation received nearly 16,000 responses which tells you the number of people who have concerns. We were really pleased with that. This level of interest is not surprising. Like all of us, I hear the concerns of parents and teachers every day about the level of nicotine used by children and young people. The responses to the consultation along with evidence reviews, a regulatory impact assessment and legal advice, have informed our proposed law. We are working to ensure that it will be legally robust as well as effective. As was said today, this has to work and has to be effective. We are talking about products such as nicotine pouches that already exist or any further products that may be designed for recreational use of nicotine. It is important that these types of products are covered by legislation now.”
“This Bill needs to be notified at EU level and assessed by other member states and the European Commission. The required notification was made in December. There is a six-month assessment period which must be served. It has been sent to the EU. I look forward to a positive response from the European Commission on this measure. I am also finalising a law to provide for baseline measures on all current and future nicotine products. This is important as we see newer products like nicotine pouches on the market, and several Members brought this up. We are very much aware of these new nicotine pouches. Last year, we held a public consultation on vapes. We sought views on issues such as flavours, packaging and point-of-sale advertising and displays.”
“It means that consumers may be able to avoid these measures by making purchases from other countries. We are aware of that. I know it was spoken about today. That is why the Minister for Health has repeatedly called on the European Commission to bring forward a new tobacco products directive as soon as possible, for example, an EU-wide ban on single-use vapes. It would be much more effective with an EU-wide ban on cross-border purchase of these products which would mean progressive member states can continue with other regulations without the concerns that measures will be undermined by purchasing from countries with different laws. We will continue to call on the EU for wider measures but we will also continue to legislate to protect the health of our children.”
“I thank the Members of the House for their contributions to the debate today and I look forward to their support as this Bill is further considered on Committee Stage. The range of measures that we have developed to address the problems caused by vaping are the result of thorough consideration. This Bill has one purpose, which is to ban single-use vapes, but we are soon bringing in the legislation to address the many other issues around these products. We are moving ahead of some EU counterparts with some of the measures in this Bill and in our upcoming law. For instance, France and Belgium are the only other EU countries to have progressed with a ban on disposable vapes. The UK and New Zealand have similar laws and I welcome our Government being so progressive on this issue. There is a risk in this approach.”
“Single-use vapes are designed to be cheap, attractive and easy to use. They contribute to the normalisation of nicotine use and pose significant environmental and public health risks. This Bill prioritises the protection of children and young people from these harmful and addictive substances. I look forward to working with Deputies to progress this Bill through the Oireachtas. I know it is an issue that all public representatives are concerned about. I hope they will work with me on this issue. This is about protecting health and well-being, particularly for our children. I commend this Bill to this House.”
“In addition, it provides that on conviction, the court can order the person convicted to pay the costs and expenses incurred in relation to the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offence. Section 18 provides that offences may be prosecuted up to 12 months after being committed. Section 19 provides for an offence of providing false or misleading information in purported compliance with this Act. Section 20 provides for a process of disclosure which includes protections against the sharing of information that is legally privileged. It is important to say that this legislation is about prevention. By banning single-use vapes, we are taking further action to protect young people from nicotine addiction and to prevent a new generation from becoming dependent on these products.”
“A person guilty of an offence under the Act is liable for a first offence to a fine of up to €4,000, or to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or to both. For any subsequent offence a guilty person is liable to a fine of up to €5,000, or to imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or to both. Section 15 is a standard provision on defences for offences under the Act. Section 16 is a standard section that provides for the liability of officers of a corporate body in the case of an offence by that corporate body. Section 17 allows the national environmental health service of the HSE to bring proceedings for an offence under this Act.”
“A prohibition notice can direct a person that the contravention should cease immediately, require a single-use vape to be withdrawn or recalled from the market, or require that a single-use vape be disposed of or destroyed. The Bill provides for an appeal against a prohibition notice to the District Court within seven days. It also provides that if a prohibition notice has been served, but the contravention continues, the national environmental health service can apply for a High Court order to prohibit that continuation. Part 3 is on penalties and miscellaneous provisions. It covers sections 14 to 20, inclusive. Section 14 provides for penalties for first and subsequent offences under the Act.”
“Section 12 provides for the powers of our environmental health officers to ensure compliance with the Act. This includes powers to enter a premises if there are reasonable grounds to believe that vapes will be found there or documents or other records relating to vapes; to inspect such premises and take copies of documents or records; to remove and detain any vape, or component of a vape, or any documents or records, where the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that there has been a contravention of this Act; and to require any person to provide relevant information, including for the purposes of ascertaining the ownership of websites. Section 13 provides for a prohibition notice in the case of contravention of section 9.”
“This gives our supermarkets, convenience stores, specialist shops and others that sell these products six months to make whatever business arrangements are necessary to comply with this prohibition. Section 8 is a standard section on expenses. Part 2 relates to the prohibition on single-use vapes and its enforcement and contains sections 9 to 13. Section 9 sets out the prohibition on the retail sale of single-use vapes in the State. It provides that it is an offence for any person to contravene it. Section 10 provides for the appointment of authorised officers for ensuring compliance with this Act. The Act will be enforced by our national environmental health service, the body that enforces the rest of our tobacco control and related law. Section 11 is a standard section that provides for the indemnification of authorised officers.”
“Section 2 is the definition section and sets out the category of products that will be prohibited from sale under this Bill. It provides that a vape must be both refillable and rechargeable, or be otherwise designed and intended to be reused, to avoid the ban. Section 3 ensures that the Bill will not apply to medical devices, accessories for a medical device or medicinal products. Section 4 is a standard section providing for the residence of a body corporate or unincorporated persons. Section 5 provides power for the Minister for Health to make regulations as needed. It also provides that any regulations must be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Section 6 is a standard section providing for the service of documents. Section 7 provides for a six-month transition period from the commencement of the prohibition.”
“The 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study found that 19% of 12-to-17-year-old children have used a vape and 13% reported that they had used one in the past 30 days. These numbers are unacceptable, and one of my priorities as Minister of State with responsibility for public health is to take whatever action we can to bring those down to zero. It is important to note that these responses date from before the ban on their sale to minors, so that number is likely to fall, and I look forward to today's Bill reducing those numbers even further. I will now take the House through the Bill to outline the content of each section. Part 1 relates to preliminary and general matters and contains sections 1 to 8. Section 1 provides for the Short Title of the Bill and for the commencement of its sections.”
“This is to eliminate the marketing potential of the use of child-friendly flavour names. Finally, the Bill will ban the point-of-sale display and advertising of these products in everyday supermarkets and shops in order that our children are not exposed to these products in everyday life. I think we can all understand how a child might be attracted to vapes, with their colourful appearance, attractive flavours and flavour names and the variety on display in our ordinary grocery shops and newsagents. The new law will ensure that the visible presence of these products is reduced and that it is made clear that these products are not the same as ordinary groceries. Some of the statistics on the use of vapes by children are stark.”
“We saw how quickly vapes increased in use among young people and we do not want the same thing to happen with other nicotine products, so it is important we address these newer products more quickly in the knowledge that they are always evolving so quickly. That Bill will restrict the colours and imagery on the packaging of vapes and on the devices themselves to make them less attractive to our children. It will also ban devices resembling or functioning vapes as other products such as toys or games. This is to ensure that the Irish market does not see these products become multi-use devices with features that are aimed to attract our children. It will also restrict the flavours available and ban all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names.”
“It will make Ireland one of the few countries in Europe to require an annual licence to sell these products. These are some of the measures already in place. The Minister for Health is also finalising comprehensive law on other aspects of nicotine-inhaling products and other tobacco products. The public health (tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products) (amendment) Bill is very nearly completed. On 18 November the Government added to it measures on newer products such as nicotine pouches. These measures should be finalised early next year and they will be in addition to the comprehensive measures on vapes already in that Bill. It is very important that products such as nicotine pouches are addressed by legislation now.”
“We want to limit our children's exposure to messages that normalise or glamorise vapes. Our 2023 Act also reduced the places where vapes can be bought, with their sale through self-service vending machines, as well as on temporary premises or at events which are aimed mainly at children, banned since September. We want to break the link between these products and events or activities our young people enjoy. The new licensing system for the sale of vapes and tobacco products is designed to reflect the seriousness of these products and to help the enforcement of the law around them. It will do so by providing the national environmental health service of the HSE with up-to-date information on the businesses in operation. That requirement will come into effect for all retailers of these products in February next year.”
“The foundational law on these products is our 2016 regulations which implemented the EU tobacco products directive. Those regulations require e-cigarette packaging to contain health warnings. They also provide for mandatory safety and quality requirements for e-cigarettes and refill containers. The regulations oblige manufacturers or importers of these products to notify the Health Service Executive of all products they place on the market. They also prohibit the advertising of e-cigarettes on television, on radio, online and in print. Today's Bill also builds on the work done in our 2023 law, the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act, and I commend my former colleague Stephen Donnelly on his work in this area. The 2023 Act banned the sale of vapes to under-18s and further restricted advertising rules.”
“The Bill will remove these lower priced products from shops, which is important in making vapes less attractive and available to children. This measure will also address the environmental issues caused by the disposal of these products. The main health risk of vapes for our children is that the use of nicotine may become an addiction, which could lead to tobacco smoking and the many health harms that causes. For our young people, these products do nothing more than deliver nicotine, an addictive drug. In 2020 our Health Research Board found that adolescents who vape are more likely to smoke. Some 5% of our children smoke tobacco. Our goal is that that figure should be zero. This Bill is one of a whole suite of measures to address youth use of nicotine products.”
“I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to be here to introduce the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill to this House. This is a short Bill with a single purpose. That purpose is to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes or vapes. Like all public representatives, I regularly hear from parents, teachers and coaches who are concerned about the impact that vapes and nicotine use are having on children's health. The sight of discarded vapes littering our towns and villages is also a huge problem. Ireland has a long and proud history of tackling the public health issues caused by tobacco, dating back to our world-famous indoor smoking ban, and this Bill will continue that tradition.”
“In the first six months of 2025, nearly 30,000 patients were treated through the NAS alternative care pathway, with 40% of those patients not subsequently requiring to go into emergency departments. I acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of our workers and the vital service they provide for everybody.”
“Supported by sustained Government investment, the NAS is continuing to increase its capabilities and capacity to treat increasing numbers of patients at the most appropriate level of clinical need, including in their homes and communities. The Deputy will be aware it is important we do this. The NAS reform initiatives will better place the service to meet the demands of the rapidly growing and ageing population we have. Funding for new service developments this year will support further expansion and alternative care pathways designed to reduce the number of patients presenting at hospital emergency departments where there is no clinical requirement.”
“I was looking back through the Deputy's parliamentary questions and, in fairness, he is working with ambulance paramedics on the great work they do. I know the Deputy will be committed to doing this. This will be looked at in 2026. I thank the Deputy for highlighting it. It is important we recognise the work ambulance paramedics do around the country. They do great work. The Government remains committed to investing in increasing capacity in our National Ambulance Service for patients in County Galway and across the country. In my opening statement, I focused on NAS front-line emergency response activity and developments in the west of the country. I will now reference the NAS's ongoing programme of strategic reform.”
“I reiterate my sincere gratitude to all NAS staff and all our ambulance services across the country, including in County Galway, for their continued commitment and dedication to patient care.”
“As Dail colleagues will be aware, patient demand for NAS services continues to rise year-on-year nationally as well as in the HSE West North-West region, including in Tuam and environs. In 2024 there were nearly 430,000 urgent and emergency calls received from the public. This represents an 8% increase nationally on the previous year and urgent and emergency calls received by the NAS have risen by a further 6% to date this year. Despite the significant increase in patient demand, overall ambulance response performance has been largely maintained, both on a national basis and for the NAS west and north-west region. Performance in the year to September in the NAS west and north-west region for life-threatening red calls, which constitute over 95% of all emergency calls received, met the 2025 national service plan target of 45%.”