Acting Chairperson (Senator Seán Kyne): I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. I understand Senator Keogan is sharing time with Senator Mullen. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Sharon Keogan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

The Minister of State and fellow Senators are very welcome to the House this afternoon. It is with a strong sense of responsibility and urgency that I introduce the Public Health (Restriction on Sale of Stimulant Drinks to Children) Bill 2025. This legislation is born out of concern for the welfare of our children and young people who are increasingly consuming high-caffeine and stimulant-laden energy drinks, products that are not designed for growing bodies or developing minds. While marketed in flashy cans and trendy branding, the contents of these drinks have serious physiological implications.

Let us begin by looking at the facts. Many energy drinks are defined by their extremely high sugar content. While the Government introduced sugar tax legislation to reduce the sale of high sugar drinks, it is apparent that this has not yet had the desired effect.

Some 80% of the energy drinks market in Ireland is controlled by three brands. Of these, two have not altered their sugar content, meaning that today many, if not most, energy drinks still contain up to three times a child's daily recommended sugar intake in one serving. In 2019, a Safefood Ireland survey found some brands contained up to 17 tsps of sugar in a single bottle. Another Safefood Ireland survey found that the standard 250 ml energy drink contained the caffeine content of five cans of cola.

What is concerning about these figures is that we know from extensive studies that these drinks do damage to young people's health. Energy drink consumption among adolescents is linked to higher BMI and increased obesity risk. A US study of 1,737 teens found that the consumers of energy drinks had significantly higher BMI. In Ireland, children consuming more thqan 200 ml a day of sugary drinks had an 80% likelihood of being overweight or obese, leading to significant health complications throughout life.

There are clear negative impacts on mental health such as seen in the classroom. In one US study, adolescents who consumed energy drinks were found to be 66% more likely to exhibit hyperactive activity and inattention. The Irish Heart Foundation representatives who are here today say teachers have reported to them that the increased consumption of energy drinks affects young people's mood, well-being and behaviour and causes significant problems at school level.

A significant 2020 study, Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, found that among adolescents who use energy drinks, 17.5% experienced palpitations, 19.6% reported chest pains and 12.5% had tachycardia, that is, an elevated heart rate. The same review found 20.9% of the adolescents surveyed reported headaches, 10% had experienced dizziness and 8.1% had tremors. It also reported that 35.4% of adolescents consuming energy drinks reported insomnia or sleep-related issues. I should not have to emphasise how important sleep is for teenagers and healthy development.

Last year, there were calls in Ireland from a Mater Hospital cardiologist to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors after two young men suffered cardiac arrest due to overconsumption. In multiple studies in the US and the EU, energy drink consumption has been linked to longer QTc intervals, meaning a higher likelihood of palpitations or fatal irregular heartbeats.

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