I commend Deputy Ward and Joseph O'Callaghan in his office on bringing forward this legislation. It is well thought-out and well developed. The Bill Deputy Ward is bringing forward is comprehensive. It does not work against the Government. The Deputy is reaching across the floor, saying that this needs to be implemented and asking the Government to work with us. The Minister has decided to postpone it for nine months. As Deputy O'Reilly said, with how long it takes legislation to get through, it might as well have been kicked into another Dáil by the time the Government gets to it. To be fair to Deputy Ward, for years he has been out front warning about the dangers of nitrous oxide and explaining how young people are at risk and can be harmed. He is trying to do something. You often hear people asking what we do up here. Deputy Ward is trying to make a difference. He is trying to come up with a solution. The Minister should engage with him and with us. We should come together. This is surely something we can all agree on and work with. A consultant neurologist says this is causing nerve damage and potential lifelong harms and impacts to young people. Sinn Féin and Deputy Mark Ward are bringing forward a solution. The Government has had years to act. Deputies have raised this on the floor of the House. The Government once again is failing to protect young people, to regulate and to act. The EU has recognised its dangerous impacts. Holland has moved on it. Britain is looking at banning it. How many young people must be harmed before Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael finally take action? Is this because the areas the Government Deputies represent in the leafy suburbs or whatever might not be affected on the ground, the way working class and some inner city areas are being affected? Maybe then, if it comes to those doors, the private schools and the children of the wealthy, action might be taken. One in five young people attending the HSE adolescent addiction services is now admitting to using it. There is a 175% increase in the last 12 months. How can the Government continue to ignore it? Deputy Ward is working hard. We are trying to make a difference. He has done Trojan work. This should be a no-brainer. This is something we should get together on. We are deeply disappointed by the Minister's amendment to move it out by nine months. I ask him to listen to Deputy Ward and withdraw it. We can work together then to make this the best legislation possible. This is not about criminalising young people; it is about protecting them.

Sentiment score: 0.03