Vote of sympathy and sunscreen VAT
Senator Byrne proposed a vote of sympathy for Brian Leddin on his mother's death and then raised the 23% VAT on sunscreen as a public health concern. Senator Brady interjected briefly, and Byrne continued urging people, including farmers, to use sunscreen.
I wish to raise something I raised last week, which is to pass a vote of sympathy to the former Deputy Brian Leddin on the passing of his mother, Kathleen, a former councillor and mayor of Limerick. She was buried on Saturday and may she rest in peace. She served on the council in Limerick for 25 years and her husband before her was mayor of Limerick. Brian Leddin was a Deputy in the last Dáil and I propose a vote of sympathy.
I wish to mention sunscreen. We have beautiful weather at the moment and everybody is out and about at the seaside or on the streets. There is 23% VAT on sunscreen. We need to encourage people to use sunscreen because skin cancer is one of the more prevalent cancers in Ireland. Some 20% of people diagnosed with cancer have skin cancer. The VAT on sunscreen should be reduced. I would like the Leader's support in bringing the Minister here to look at it. It has been spoken about many times but nothing has happened. We need to encourage and support people to make sure they wear sunscreen to protect their faces and the rest of their bodies. Even farmers, and I am looking at-----
Comment on this
I am looking at Senator Brady in front of me. Many other farmers do not wear caps when they are out and we need to encourage them to wear sunscreen.