I thank the Deputy for tabling the amendment, which relates to flavours and packaging law being introduced in respect of vapes as a result of a nicotine consumption order. The Bill introduces measures relating to nicotine consumption products, including pouches or any other products containing nicotine, in order to protect our children and take action while the use of these products is low. The measures in the Bill include a ban on sale to minors, a prohibition on advertising in retail outlets and a display ban in mixed retail outlets. These are important measures to protect our children and because of their nature are not likely to fall under harmonised law. While I understand the intention behind the amendment, if these amendments were accepted, they would require a new notification at EU level. The provision in the Bill in this regard has already been notified to the EU. If no issues arise from a member state or the Commission, the process will conclude on 7 July. As it stands, the Bill has gone to Europe. It is my intention that the Bill will be enacted before the end of the year. I hope to have it passed before the recess. A new notification at EU level at this stage would mean not only a three- or six-month standstill period, but also a risk that the Bill would be delayed by at least 12 months or more. This will happen if the European Commission determines that Ireland is proposing law on an issue that it has already announced its intention to legislate for at EU level. In April, the Commission announced that it will publish a revision of the tobacco products directive this year. The evaluation of the latest framework for tobacco control documents signals the areas that a revised directive will target, namely new tobacco and nicotine products and the rise of digital marketing, which particularly targets our younger people. Accepting the amendments would risk delaying the Bill by a year or more. While the same measures are likely to be proposed at EU level later this year, the law would be more effective in harmonised form. If we were to change the Bill now, that would mean waiting another year or so to pass it. The Department and I hope to be able to pass the Bill by the end of July. As the Deputy said, we will have to look at this. There is no question about that. We need to move quickly on this, and that is why I will not be able to accept the amendment. As I said, we need to move on this now and then consider other matters. All of this can be examined in a few months' time. We need to get this through. I understand the Deputy's concerns, but, as I said, we are awaiting word from the EU.

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Again, I understand. Pouches have been spoken about. We are all learning about pouches. Vaping was new to us a while ago. We are looking at pouches now, and that is why there will be a second Bill to deal with pouches, colours, flavours and packaging. There are directives from the EU. We moved very quickly on this. We feel that this younger people, and we need to move on pouches, colours, flavours and packaging. The Government will move as quickly as it can and will work with its European counterparts on the other matters.

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