I thank Deputy Ward for making us all aware of this. If anyone thinks I knew anything about nitrous gas or laughing gas or whatever it is, I did not. I can understand now, since it has been explained to me, its disastrous effect. It can seriously impair youngsters. Perhaps the Bill will do nothing but make parents aware and make us all more aware. I was listening to the Minister. Apparently, he does not have the legislation he wants to put in place ready yet. He says this is being covered by other rules or other regulations and is covered in a different way, but I would like to see more stringent controls and awareness for youngsters who may be inclined to seek this buzz, like Deputy Gogarty said, or whatever it is. Youngsters, being youngsters, will try different things at different points in time. It is good that we have this talk and that legislation will be put in place in the short term. I will ask the Minister to expedite this. He said it would be nine months. I would like to have it put in place maybe in three or four months' time. We are talking about human life. When something happens in human life and if people die, they cannot be brought back, so there is urgency. As I said at the outset, I know little about this. I am thankful for being made aware of it. I hope that we will all work together and ensure that proper legislation is brought forward to deal with it. I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, to ensure we get the answer and the legislation we need to curb this. As well as that, I would like people to be made more aware of this. I thought I knew a lot. I am on the road every day and night and out everywhere but I never heard of this nitrous gas before. That is how it is. I am thankful for the opportunity to talk about this. I will vote for legislation when it is brought forward. I know Sinn Féin would like to have this brought forward now but I am honest, and maybe there is more to be looked at. We will give the Minister the chance to do that.

Sentiment score: 0.20