Paul McAuliffe
Dublin North-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“In the context of the previous Government, some of our Green Party colleagues were also supportive of this for a range of other reasons relating to delivering the circular economy. From what I hear, one outcome of the review could be the creation of a franchised service.”
“It would allow it to say that in the context of my area of Finglas, it is not appropriate that because an area is more affluent, people living in that road have access to five bin companies and because somewhere else is less affluent, it is stuck with one bin company.”
“I made a commitment to Deputies Gannon and Sherlock in 2019 in an agreement we signed together to pursue the issue of remunicipalisation. It was the right thing to do then and it is the right thing to do now. It is not an accident that there are many Dublin-based Deputies in the House for this debate.”
“If Dublin City Council had been allowed address the housing crisis back in 2012, 2013 or 2014, when it was impacting the city far more than anywhere else, we would have been ahead of the curve.”
“-----to put in place waste solutions that suit their areas. If this means that there is a different solution in Dublin City Council's area than in the other local authority areas across the county, then that is how it should be. Unfortunately, that power rests with the chief executive.”
“To break that down a little, the issues Deputies Gannon and Sherlock are having in the city centre are vastly different from the ones that are relevant in my constituency. We do not have an issue with bags. Nor do we have the same street structures or networks.”
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“We need to make sure that An Garda Síochána has the resources, and the Minister is expected to provide them, and that gardaí at every level know their role, know what they can do, feel empowered and do not feel restricted. It is incredibly important that every Garda knows what he or she can do in terms of tackling scrambler bikes and that senior gardaí, including the Commissioner, put in place operations that use section 109A and sections 1 to 4, inclusive. They are all there to be used. We now want them to be enforced because another incident of this nature is just unthinkable. I welcome the measures announced this week. Having studied it for some time, it is more complicated than simply introducing a ban. There are other elements to it but it is incredibly welcome. As Siobhán said, she wants her daughter to be remembered.”
“Yes we have now added a fourth, fifth or sixth law but the question is how those six laws will be enforced. There is no point in us passing laws if they are not enforced. I understand An Garda Síochána has a very difficult job and that pursuit is a very high-risk pursuit for gardaí where the Garda is exposed, the person is exposed and the public is exposed - it is not easy - but there is now a range of powers. I believe that in operational terms, An Garda Síochána can put together measures that will tackle the very small number of people in our communities who hold these scramblers. As Father Aherne said, these young bucks will kill and be killed. Last week I spoke perhaps in anger but we will give the Garda Commissioner time now to operationalise these powers. However, it must be very quick.”
“That is totally understandable so a lot of us welcomed the new regulations and laws this week, which will be known as Grace's law. There will be a ban on the use of scramblers in any public place. They will further strengthen the powers around safety, seizure and destruction. Of course, the 2023 Act put many measures in place that give An Garda Síochána powers like the ability to hold the bike for up to eight weeks and not to return it unless it is returned at the permission of the court, the ability to seize the bike from the court, the ability to fine an adult who supplies the bike to a child and the ability to prosecute an offence on the belief that dangerous driving has been taking place. Many laws were already being broken with regard to scramblers.”
“She was laid-back, she had a messy bedroom like many teenagers and she had an eye for borrowing a nice top that her mam might never get back. She spent her time with her friends and her boyfriend Harry. She would often take two buses rather than take a short walk. She lost her life due to a vehicle that should never have been in a public place. That is the reality of road safety. This is an issue on which many people have campaigned for a long time. We have campaigned on it because we see it at first hand in our communities. Last week, we were getting calls to our office from people who were angry, people who wished they had shouted louder and people who wanted to know what they could do, what powers An Garda Síochána had and what more the Government and An Garda Síochána could do.”
“I thank my colleagues for giving me a little extra time on this issue. Last Friday, Father Séamus Aherne reminded the people of Finglas that 25 January was Burns night, celebrating the famous poet Robbie Burns, who spoke about old acquaintance not being forgot. I suppose for our community, as Father Aherne said, 25 January will be remembered as the day when our community was shaken by the tragic death of Grace Lynch, a 16-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her who was killed crossing a pedestrian crossing. There will be many victims of road traffic accidents but I just want to remember Grace's life for a moment. Grace's parents Siobhán and Martin have spoken about their daughter as a beautiful young girl.”
“If they need funding to be drawn down, they are wondering whether it will be available. The Department of education site on the Swords Road will include four schools, the largest development the Department of education will ever undertake. It will be Gaelscoil Áine, Ellenfield Community College, An Cosán Community Special School and Clonturk Community College. It is part of the ADAPT 4 programme. It is not on the list but surely given amount of work that has gone into it, it will be funded. I would like more clarity on those. General communication to other schools is also needed.”
“The national development plan is an important investment in the future in terms of infrastructure. Last week’s sectoral announcement on education was welcomed in parts of my constituency. A new nine-classroom school extension has been approved for St. Canice’s Girls National School. However, I must say there is a lot of confusion on the ground regarding the announcement. Schools that would have been regarded as being at very advanced stages are wondering if they are still on the list. Are they still being funded? Where are they? I want to raise some specific schools and the Tánaiste might want to come back to me in writing on them. There is a general point about us providing more clarity to school principals and boards of management. St. Aidan's CBS in Whitehall and Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin are both at advanced stages.”
“It is very simple: Finglas wants a ban on scramblers on roads and in public places. We want the ban fully enforced by senior gardaí and we want to make sure that every aspect of the State knows that this can never happen again.”
“Last night in Finglas, hundreds of people came out to support the Lynch family and to tell the Garda, Government and particularly those who recklessly and dangerously drive e-scooters and scramblers illegally that enough is enough. Grace Lynch was a beautiful young girl with her whole life ahead of her and that was robbed from her on Sunday afternoon. Our community is sad but we are not surprised because we have been talking about it for years. In 2023, community leaders came here to the Public Gallery to welcome extensive new powers being given to the Garda, and yet today we are asking how were these new powers not enough? How were they not enforced? I thank the Minister for meeting me today. I know he has spoken to the Garda Commissioner. I know the Cabinet discussed this matter and I have discussed it with the Taoiseach.”
“On previous occasions we asked the courts to send a representative to our joint policing committee so they could talk to us about sentencing and we could talk to them about the impact sentencing has in a working-class area. They felt it was not appropriate for them to attend that JPC because of the separation of powers and perhaps I can understand that but on other occasions I have seen members of the Judiciary attend legal or academic conferences where they have spoken about events, often I suppose to do what I am asking them to, which is to maintain the confidence of the people. It is a very tricky area but we need to demand of them what is demanded of us, which is that they are accountable within the limits and the structures that the Courts Service and the Judiciary have.”
“It is for the Chief Justice and the Judiciary to reflect on that themselves, to find ways in which they can build confidence and ways they can communicate with the public about why things happen. While we are all individual Members of this House, we also realise we are a collective and we regulate for the minority or regulate for individuals and the Judiciary has that responsibility too. It is a far broader point and one that lies in the courts rather than here but how the Judiciary retains the confidence of the public in the area of sentencing is incredibly important. Last week there was huge hurt in my community and I am sure in many others there are often lingering questions about why something happened yet in a modern society we have no way of questioning or asking why something happened.”
“There is incredible accountability for two of those branches almost daily in the media, in this House and so on and it is a matter for the Judiciary to respond to its democratic role in society. However, when you look at reactions like there were last week when there were reports that perhaps too lenient a sentence was given in a case involving a single-punch killing - I will not say anything about that case because it may be subject to appeal and I do not want to in any way interfere with it - it does make you, as a Member of the Oireachtas, reflect on how the same level of accountability that applies to these branches does not apply to the Judiciary.”
“It is certainly a more tricky and difficult area but the Minister said we will see further amendments on Committee Stage, which I look forward to. I think everybody in this House is in the same place when it comes to what we can achieve. The question is around how we can achieve that. I know the Minister will do what is possible and perhaps we can push that as far as possible. I forget the phrasing he used but I think he referred to working within whatever constitutional limits are there. We need to go to the very edge of the limits of that in order to protect victims. I note the provisions on the duties of the Chief Justice, and so on. We must always be very careful about the Judiciary. The Constitution obviously provides for the three branches of the Judiciary, the Government and the Oireachtas.”
“Reform of the MUDS Act is incredibly important and the first step of that is for the Minister to transfer responsibility to the Minister for housing. The present Minister has discharged his duty on that issue and the pressure will now be on the Minister, Deputy Browne, who is already very keen to make amendments so when we start to distribute money for apartment defects we will know it is going to entities that are regulated. There should be a register of owners' management companies, a regulator of them and also a mechanism for people who are subject to such companies to resolve disputes. All this was dealt with in the legislation on apartment defects, so I will not dwell on that. I note other provisions on pepper spray and note also the Minister's comments on the counselling notes.”
“Due to the successful campaigning of the Construction Defects Alliance, Pat Montague and the many other people who have met us over the years on that issue, the Government will have a scheme that supports people with defective apartments. The mechanism by which we are addressing those defects and the financial vehicle we are using will be owners' management companies and in many cases these companies and their structures are not fit for purpose. They are not regulated correctly and both their makeup and their structure leaves a lot to be desired. I say that not due to any great conspiracy out there, as often it is a small number of residents in an apartment block who are left with the job of running an OMC. They often wrangle with the developer and wrestle with legacy issues. They do not have the same access to legal advice, and so on.”
“Some of the proposals in the Bill before us were brought forward by Opposition Deputies and some by Government Deputies. I commend those Deputies on their efforts. There are days when one feels one has achieved very little in this House. However, the provisions in this Bill mean many Deputies will see their ideas and contributions brought into law. I particularly commend the people who campaigned for a ban on sex for rent. This is an important issue that was discussed at the housing committee. I acknowledge the provisions to amend the Multi-Unit Developments Act. As a member of the public accounts committee, I am always very concerned about how we spend public money.”
“It is only right, having come so far in terms of equality legislation, that they are not being left behind and were not forgotten. I appreciate the Minister's support in this regard. A provision not included in the legislation is one to implement the proposed Jennie's law, which will be the subject of a different Bill the justice committee is considering. I commend the committee Cathaoirleach, Deputy Carthy, on the conduct of pre-legislative scrutiny yesterday. Not everything was shoehorned into this Bill. The Minister decided to leave out some measures in order to scrutinise them further. The Bill to implement Jennie's law is another example of an issue where he has listened to a group, responded to a need and brought forward a legislative proposal.”
“They happen because people, having first put their head in their hands, then put their heads around a table and tried to seek changes to the law in a practical and determined way that would deliver results. The LGBT community in Ireland has had many celebrated days in public spaces, such as the forecourt of Dublin Castle. The very small number of people who were convicted for having same-sex relationships are the people who were treated most harshly by Irish society. While a Second Stage debate in the Dáil on a Thursday afternoon might not be the celebrated public event other LGBT events have been, it is an incredibly important one. We think of the people who faced those convictions and the unfair and unjust way Irish society treated them.”
“That is not being done in order that the Government can tick a box but because there are groups that have been asking for these provisions to be included in Irish law. By including them in this Bill, they will go onto the Statute Book in a speedier way. Behind many of the Bill's provisions are people who worked to secure them. I will start with the provisions mentioned by Deputy Nash, namely, those dealing with historical convictions for same-sex relations. I welcome to the Gallery my former Dublin City Council colleague Kieran Rose, along with Eddie, Karl, Brian and the many others who are here. Days like today do not happen by accident.”
“I welcome each of the provisions of the Bill because behind many of those provisions are either victims or groups who have campaigned for the Government to act. The Minister has hit the ground running in the past number of months. The breadth of the Bill demonstrates his good faith in having worked with many of the people who sought these provisions. I spent all of Christmas listening to the Opposition telling us this is a do-nothing Government that has introduced no legislation. Now, apparently, there is too much in the legislation. I will leave it to the Opposition to make its case. A Bill of this nature is often about trying to get provisions into law as quickly as possible.”
“South Dublin County Council received €350,000 despite having a population six times the size of counties like Longford and Carlow. I am afraid to mention too many places because my colleagues will be claiming that they delivered. Given the cross-departmental responsibility the Department of the Taoiseach has, will it examine this issue? We understand it cannot be strictly per capita , but there is an unfairness here. Our local urban villages cannot access the town and village renewal scheme, for example. This is an issue that we need to look at. Will the Tánaiste work with his colleagues in both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to see if we can get a better deal for Dublin?”
“This week, I and many of my Government colleagues welcomed the over €12 million allocated in local sports partnership grants. What was not welcomed was the method of the county breakdown in which it was allocated. It is not just about this round of grants; it is across many grants that are distributed through local authorities and local community development committees. There is a narrative in here that Dublin gets everything, but that is not borne out in the facts of those community-type grants. If we look at Dublin City or Dún Laoghaire or Fingal, they all received broadly similar figures of around €450,000, as Offaly did. Offaly has a population of 90,000, while many of those areas have populations of 300,000 or 400,000 and, in the case of Dublin city, 600,000.”
“In the American system, the chief police officer is able to stand up and say, "We're going after this guy", and make a public statement. Our police do not operate in that way. That is regrettable. If there had been a statement from the Garda earlier in the week, we might be in a different space in the debate. I wish good luck to the Minister of State. It is a very open area and one we have to be careful of. It is a tool with positive and negatives. Our job as legislators is to balance that.”
“How will that be credited in terms of creativity and rights going forward? There is the area of skills. My daughter is in transition year and has an AI class. They are learning how to use AI; they are not necessarily learning how AI can replace traditional work. There are so many societal impacts. Grok caught everybody by surprise because it is a company that did not seem willing to be bound by the norm of not approving images involving sexualisation of children. There are many people out there who do not accept the norms of society. That is why the Government should step in and make changes where required. I acknowledge the work the Minister of State and the Taoiseach have done. I hope the Garda Commissioner will follow through.”
“Both of those Acts appear, in my reading of it, to be sufficient for the Garda to act. This is now an enforcement issue. I welcome the Minister of State saying she is willing to look at new legislation. Of course we should look at new legislation. There are many areas of AI. When we think of AI as an additional tool, we have to think of how it will impact. Whether it was the industrial revolution, rural electrification, the Internet or AI, this is just a different version of new technology and of course it will have impacts. An area of concern is creativity. When somebody creates something, who are they creating it with? They are contributing their ideas and prompts, which can be creative and dynamic, but they are co-creating it with a platform. Who is credited for that?”
“Initially, at least, X seemed to revel in not putting any restrictions on technology. That is because of the overall ideology of its owner. If somebody goes on X and asks somebody to create an image which involves the sexualisation of children and a company produces that image, my view is the person who requested it and the company which generated it both created the content. Whether you use a camera and a light, a Photoshop from ten years ago or AI, you are responsible when you generate sexual images of children. I understand there are investigations and I hope that is the interpretation the Garda takes, regardless of what Acts are in place. I note the comments from the Taoiseach on the 1998 Act. There is also Coco's Law, which we probably never thought would apply in the area of AI, but it has.”
“I think this is the second set of statements we have had on artificial intelligence. A bit like the previous speaker, I do not think anybody in this House is an expert in AI in the same way as there are in industry. That is part of the challenge for us as representatives of the people. That is why we are here. It is for us to understand, articulate and predict an industry that is rapidly changing. Its applications are rapidly changing. What we saw this week was a fairly grotesque application of a tool. We would be wrong to think in terms of one platform or in terms of AI being the issue. The issue here was the application of the tool. That could happen on X, ChatGPT, Copilot or others. It often does not because those companies have put safeguards in place.”
“As we continue to expand and if there are opportunities to expand, we also need to continue to monitor how additional countries joining the eurozone might have a larger impact in terms of the risk or the optimum currency area. However, it is a positive thing to see further European integration. While we look around the world at all of the different levels of chaos, I suppose there might be frustration in the European Union at the lack of decision-making and progress, but the stability it provides, including across the European Continent in different governments, is welcome in a time of incredible change.”
“While it is uncomfortable to maybe lean on that principle in the defence of a man whom many of us disagreed with, and many of us disagreed with how he how he operated, the international principle remains. I note Bulgaria's joining of the eurozone to become the 21st member state. It is incredibly important as we go forward with the eurozone that we continue to have the principal economic restrictions on membership and activity. I remember in first year in my economics course learning about asymmetric shocks in an optimum currency area and whether there was such a thing as an optimum currency area. We saw how Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain had a massive impact on the eurozone.”
“There is no doubt that there were huge constitutional tensions and elections and also that the Venezuelan-led transition from peace to democracy in the country has to be respected by whoever has control of Venezuela. That should be the Venezuelan people, I will say. The idea that Donald Trump can dictate that Marco Rubio or anybody else will run Venezuela is concerning, but it places on whoever is responsible for administering the country the responsibility to put in place a peaceful transition. Whether that is the remainder of the Maduro regime, some sort of United States influence or the opposition, we need a peaceful transition in that country. Maduro was a bad application of an important principle, and that important principle is that international law should exist.”
“In many ways, it is a tiny entity and a tiny enclave, but it sits in a very important part of the world. We have to be very conscious of how a small number of fewer than 100,000 people might have a massive impact on trade and jobs for millions of people across Europe and the United States. I have not had too many telephone calls to my constituency office about Venezuela or Greenland, but these are the topics that arise at an international level and when they start to have an impact, that is when the rubber hits the road. On Venezuela, there is no doubt that Venezuela lacked a democratically elected president under Maduro and it was an incredibly repressive regime.”
“It is hard for Irish people not to look at Greenland from the post-colonial position that we take. Greenland is obviously a self-governing entity within the Kingdom of Denmark. Interestingly, in reading up on it, I did not realise that it had actually left the European Communities. It was the first entity to leave the European Communities over fishing rights in 1985. Ultimately, it had a vote in 1982. In leaving the European community, it does not have the same protections, but it operates within as an overseas territory. Even that phrase and regarding something as an overseas territory are uncomfortable for an Irish person. Ultimately, the people of Greenland have the right to dictate their future, but they should be able to rely on the support of the European Union.”
“We imposed those in regard to Russia and the question is what seismic impact sanctions on US individuals and US companies or the US Government itself might have. As I say, this is alarming territory to be in and I do not want to add hyperbole to it, but if Denmark proposes that at the table, two things could happen: our relationship with the United States could be incredibly damaged or our relationship with the European Union could be incredibly damaged. Ireland has to be very conscious of that. I urge the United States to de-escalate the harmful rhetoric that is taking place because it is destructive. I do not see what benefit it brings to the people on either side of the Atlantic. It will have an impact on the common person in terms of people's jobs, trade and so on.”
“From an Irish perspective as a non-NATO country, however, our concerns lie in the potential repercussions for Ireland and the wider EU. Ireland is a neutral country, and while we are aligned to Denmark through the EU - not in a military way but in terms of our economic ties - we do not have a role in the NATO question. However, another challenge will come before us both in Ireland and the EU, which is that if there was an infringement in Greenland of any size, Denmark would very likely and, I would say, correctly seek from its EU partners the same sanctions that were imposed on Russia. That is a big question - if we, alongside our other EU partners, would be ready to impose sanctions on the United States.”
“That is also why it did not happen in relation to Gaza, as there was not agreement across Europe, although there was agreement in regard to those occupied territories in the West Bank and sanctions that were imposed there. That agreement across Europe is probably the point I am touching on and, in that respect, we need to consider the heightened rhetoric from the United States and how that is impacting the idea that it would take control of Greenland. We should be careful not to get sucked into a spiral of commentary around an issue or try to inflate it. I hope the talks today between the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers will result in a de-escalation. In that context, the primary concerns I have heard in the media have been in regard to NATO and how that will impact NATO.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the statements following the meeting of the European Council in December. I thank the Taoiseach for outlining some of the matters that were discussed. Ukraine, the Middle East and EU enlargement were referenced. It is only a matter weeks since the European Council meeting and yet the entire world has changed in those few weeks. I might touch on some of the international developments, but the issue in Greenland is one we have to approach with great consideration here in Ireland. In many ways, the way the European Union responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine set a standard for our commitment to sovereignty, integrity and respect of borders and foreign countries. That happened because of agreement across Europe.”
“It is a particular set of circumstances. As we go forward and examine the interaction between mental health and custodial sentences, this is a matter on which I would like the Minister to dwell. We must not forget the experience of Ms Fionnuala Bourke because she lives with it every single day. Where there is a concurrent sentence, there is a gap where access to information should be provided to the victim. I believe that in some ways, Ms Bourke has come to terms with that. It is a harrowing prospect that you do not know when somebody might be released and when you might meet that person again. That person may have made threats against you and you might encounter or interact with them again. We have the victims' charter to prevent that situation. In this case, there is no such process.”
“I appreciate that matters before the court are often in the control of the Judiciary. There is a clear separation of powers between what happens in this House and what happens and how decisions are made in a court. As Ms Bourke sat across from me at my clinic, and she was there for some time, I could only agree with her. She feels that a crime was committed and that while justice was administered and there was a process for dealing with all of that, the ultimate outcome of the sanction of a custodial sentence was never served. There is probably no way of releasing Ms Bourke from the view that the injustice stands. It is a reasonable thing for any victim to feel. We cannot go back and the court case cannot be changed in any way. However, I think it is worth looking at. The Minister said, and I accept, that it is a unique case.”
“That Minister committed to examining whether legislation or changes in practice might be required. At the heart of the issue is a feeling of injustice from the perspective of Ms Bourke. A very serious crime was committed against her. Somebody was found guilty in a courtroom and a significant sentence was issued. However, the person concerned has not served, and will not serve, any custodial sentence. Ms Bourke remains outside the loop of information with regard to the detention. I raise the issue with the Minister and hope he will be able to provide more information.”
“In that case, there was a successful determination that she was not guilty by reason of insanity. Therefore, she was referred to the Central Mental Hospital and remains there. The grave difficulty is that as far as Ms Bourke is concerned, there was no sentence for the crime that was committed. The person concerned served her time in a health institution, as may be appropriate, but no prison sentence was ever served. She also received other difficulties. For example, she was not the victim of the crime for which the person was detained in the forensic mental health services and as a result, she was entitled to no information about when that person might be released, periods of leave and so on. I know this issue was raised by a number of people, including me, with the Minister's predecessor.”
“It was a brutal assault and she continues to live with the scars of it. This case was well raised and rehearsed in the media and in public. The perpetrator of that crime was convicted, despite lodging a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. That was disregarded by the jury and the perpetrator was found guilty and sentenced. The judge in the case specifically mentioned the fact that while the jury had disregarded the plea of insanity, it was not the case that the person concerned may not have a mental illness. In the judgment she was very clear in acknowledging that while also acknowledging that the person was guilty and therefore deserved a custodial sentence. Unfortunately, the perpetrator of the crime against Fionnuala had also committed a similar attack two weeks earlier.”
“I want to raise the issue of a victim's rights when the perpetrator of a crime is leaving prison or other institution. Prior to being a TD I was not aware of the very significant rights that exist under the victim's charter, including the right to know where a person is imprisoned, changes to his or her custody or location, and so on. That applies to those in prison but also to those people who are in the forensic mental health services. Difficult cases are described thus for a reason. A constituent of mine, Ms Fionnuala Bourke, has approached me because of what is a gap in the system. I have raised this matter with the Minister privately and would like to raise it publicly now. Fionnuala was stabbed nine times in a random attack by a stranger while she was on her way home from work.”
“They are sensible and show that the Government is listening. They show that Ministers are working hard and working with us on the backbenches. We appreciate that and we encourage them to keep going.”
“For gambling and betting environments, we have very strict standards on advertising and what can be seen in the window and so on. There will probably be more room, once we get this legislation over the line, to return to that point. I would like to see much more limits put on the advertising of those dedicated vaping shops. I know we will introduce restrictions on colours and imagery for nicotine-inhaling products and their packaging. There will also be restrictions on devices resembling or functioning as other products, such as toys or games, which aim to prohibit flavour. I have seen in the drugs area that prohibition does not necessarily work. A lot of people will say that we should just get rid of vaping and it will be gone. In my view, that will not work. These types of measures will work, however.”
“Of course, those places do not mind young people gathering at those locations because they are selling their products. We need more vigilance from parents. It is a difficult thing to do. I am a parent of teenagers. It is a difficult thing to do. More vigilance from parents, schools and the local authorities is needed. While we can bring in measures to ban single-use vapes, there is no doubt the black market will continue to provide these products. We should be trying to work with the local authority teams right across the country to determine whether they continue to see these products in the waste that is collected on our streets. I acknowledge the huge work that is being done. The legislation will introduce a prohibition of point of sale displays and advertising, with an exemption for retailers who only or primarily sell these products.”
“I acknowledge all those people who, early on, raised the issue with me because it has made a difference and it has changed the legislation here in the House. I also acknowledge that it was not done alone. Obviously, the tax placed on the e-liquid for vaping was another measure. The additional licence on vaping shops was another measure, which is worth revisiting. Many of those vaping shops will disagree with me, but we should consider whether we need to increase that charge on vaping shops. In all of the time we had tobacco products, in Ireland in any case, there were very few shops that exclusively sold tobacco. They often sold papers, newspapers, milk and all sorts of other stuff. We now have an emergence of vaping shops, and it is attractive for young people to gather at those places.”
“Rather, we are ensuring that, in doing that, they are using products that are sustainable, do not have an impact on our environment and are not accessible, advertised or attractive to children. It is a reasonable and sensible step. I was taken aback by the number of people who contacted me from different parts of the country when I made the suggestion, and there were many of us who made the suggestion at the time. This is a real common-sense proposal. I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward this legislation. I know legislation in this area can be difficult and tricky. There are European elements to it as well, so I know it has taken some time and been tricky but it is great to be at this Stage.”
“What emerged was that a new product that was coming onto the market was having a significant impact on our environment, public domain and, importantly, the health of people. At the time, many people were quite rightly reluctant to have a ban on vaping because it plays a role in reducing people’s dependence on tobacco. We should say that tobacco is a far more dangerous substance than the nicotine products, although it is hard to say that definitively because we do not fully know the make-up of many of the vaping products. We know how dangerous tobacco is, however. Of course, vaping has a role to play in assisting people to come off an addiction to tobacco. It is important to say that, with this Bill, we are not removing vaping as a mechanism of supporting people to come off a tobacco addiction.”
“It is not often in this House you feel like you are making any progress at all, but I wish to congratulate the Minister of State on bringing forward this Bill. I know it is something which she and many of us in Fianna Fáil have been working on for some time. I should probably also note the support of the former Minister, Stephen Donnelly, when he was in the House. In August 2023, a number of people in the local Tidy Towns group in my area contacted me reporting the proliferation of these disposable or single-use vapes. They were seeing them increasingly outside of betting shops and schools, littering the village. They had a genuine question: what do we do with them? It prompted a question that I asked of many local authorities around the country, namely, what are the local authorities doing with these vapes?”
“I had a public meeting on this. SEAI provided us with their mentor, a fantastic guy who came out. There is a lot of interest in this scheme, in the solar grants and in all that is available. Given the changes to the European regulations around carbon fuels and the changes to the scheme, it just needs to be tweaked to make sure that a really positive scheme continues to be positive.”