Alcohol and human tissue Bills
Joan Collins seeks commitments to enact the public health (alcohol) and human tissue Bills before dissolution. The Minister says the alcohol Bill is listed for the current session, while the human tissue Bill is likely next year.
Last year, drug task forces were given added responsibility for taking on alcohol issues and they have really embraced that work. We met recently with representatives of the Dublin 12 drugs and alcohol task force. They are concerned that the public health (alcohol) Bill will not go through. Will the Minister give a commitment that before the Dáil is dissolved, the legislation will be brought through?
I have a similar question on the human tissue Bill. The soft opt-out option was a big issue a year and a half ago and we went to meetings in Croke Park about it. There was a campaign to bring the matter into the public domain but we still do not have the human tissue Bill. Will the Minister commit to bringing that through before the Dáil is dissolved?
Comment on this
When I was in the Department of Health, I was very much involved in the proposals that have been brought forward by the current Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in the alcohol Bill. I agree with the Deputy that is extremely important legislation. It is listed for this session. That is the position in respect of that Bill.
Regarding the human tissue Bill, that is likely to be next year.