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The main change is to ban the sale of single-use vapes in Ireland, whether or not they contain nicotine. It gives officials powers to enforce the ban, sets out penalties for breaking it, and creates a short six-month grace period after the law starts before the ban fully applies.
Deputies raised the alarming rise in child injuries and traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooters, and the Tánaiste agreed urgent action was needed. The discussion moved from possible bans to calls for workable regulation and parental responsibility.
Senator Costello praised colleagues and staff, then dismissed Sinn Féin criticism of Government housing policy and joked about giving Senator Andrews a book on positive thinking.
Senator Ruane thanked staff and highlighted interest in translating the drugs report for audiences abroad.
The Leader outlined the motions due to be taken later, and Senators Fitzpatrick and McDowell criticised aspects of recent public policy and the planning regulations process.
Tusla outlined rising demand for child protection services, with almost 6,000 children in care, increasing referrals, and a sharp rise in separated children seeking international protection. It said special emergency arrangements have now been phased out in favour of regulated emergency placements with HIQA oversight, and admitted it cannot yet fully meet its statutory duty on special care because of staffing shortages. Members pressed Tusla on residential placement capacity, use of private providers, security staff in homes, aftercare, and the lack of capital investment in the community and voluntary sector. Tusla said recruitment, training and reform are under way, with a focus on expanding foster care, therapeutic supports and staff numbers.
The measure tightens rules on nicotine products, especially vapes and similar items, by controlling how they look and are packaged, limiting the flavour names they can use, and restricting where they can be advertised or displayed. It also makes it an offence to sell nicotine consumption products to children, extends enforcement powers to cover these products, and adds stronger tools for inspections, notices, seizures and penalties.