An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Apologies have been received from the Chair. He is speaking in the Dáil while this meeting is taking place. He sends his apologies.

We are dealing with the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the Bill on Committee Stage. The Bill will further regulate nicotine inhaling products and introduce measures to address other novel nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches. It will prohibit the sale of nicotine products, such as pouches, to under-18s, prohibit the advertising of nicotine products in retail outlets and prohibit their display in mixed retail outlets, restrict imagery on nicotine products and packaging, prohibit the sale of devices resembling or functioning as other products, prohibit all flavour descriptions other than basic flavour names for nicotine products and limit flavours in nicotine products to tobacco, with power to make changes by regulation.

I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, who is accompanied by officials from her Department.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Before we move on to detailed consideration of the Bill, I understand the Minister of State wishes to make some brief introductory remarks.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Health: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the members of the committee for facilitating this Stage of our Bill this morning. It is important legislation and I know that everyone is keen to see it progress as quickly as possible. I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate on Second Stage in the Dáil and I welcome and appreciate the support shown across all parties for these measures and value the feedback provided. From our discussions on Second Stage, it is clear that we all share common concerns about the health impact of nicotine inhaling products or vapes, as well as other products, such as pouches, particularly on our young children. I constantly hear about it from parents and teachers. These products are being used by our young people and it is important that we intervene. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and evidence shows that young people who vape are more likely to take up smoking. That is not a future that we want for our young people. As a country, we have done so much to tackle the harms caused by smoking. We now want to intervene and spare these young people a potential lifetime of addiction and illness all because of a decision that they made in childhood.

I understand that the measures we are bringing in with this Bill will have impacts on some businesses but we are working to protect the health of our children and all our people. That means our decisions are evidence-based and health-led.

Deputy Sorca Clarke: Deputy Cullinane sends his apologies. He is going to be tied up in the Chamber on the Social Democrats' Private Members' Bill. I will move his amendment, if necessary.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: We will go through each of the sections. The amendment is at the very end...

[Click here to read the full debate on the Oireachtas website]