An Cathaoirleach: We have received no apologies. The meeting is being convened to consider the Committee Stage of the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024. The primary objective of the Bill is to increase the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21. The Bill also provides that current penalties for anyone convicted of selling tobacco products to people under the age of 18 will be extended to cover convictions relating to sales to people under the age of 21.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members prior to making their contributions to the meeting to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I remind all members that should a division be called, they must physically come to the committee room in order to vote.

I welcome Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, to our meeting this afternoon. The Minister is accompanied by his officials. Does he wish to make his opening statement?

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly): I do not have an opening statement prepared. I thank the committee for facilitating today. I was keen for us to accelerate this legislation on the off-chance that the election is not in March of next year. It has the potential to save an awful lot of lives over many, many years. I thank colleagues for facilitating the session today....

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