Danny Healy-Rae Urges Faster Action on Nitrous Oxide Risks
Danny Healy-Rae raised concerns about nitrous oxide (laughing gas), saying he had only recently learned of its "disastrous" effects and that it can seriously impair youngsters. He urged the minister to expedite legislation, asking that measures the minister said would take nine months be brought forward to three or four months, and said he will vote for the laws when presented.
Key points of the speech
Danny Healy-Rae thanked Deputy Ward for raising the issue, admitted he knew little about nitrous gas until it was explained to him, and described the substance's effects as disastrous and potentially seriously impairing to youngsters. He acknowledged a point made by Deputy Gogot about young people seeking a buzz.
Call for expedited legislation
He criticised the proposed nine-month timeline mentioned by the minister and asked that the legislation be expedited to three or four months. He stressed urgency when "human life" is at stake and urged quicker action on the proposed rules.
Ministerial position and existing rules
He noted that the minister said the issue is covered by other rules or regulations, but argued for clearer, more stringent controls and for formal legislation to be brought forward in the short term.
Awareness and controls for young people
He called for increased awareness among parents and youngsters and for stronger controls to prevent misuse of nitrous oxide. He said the parliamentary debate itself was valuable for raising awareness about the danger.
Support for future legislation and deference to the minister
He said he would vote for legislation when it is brought forward, that he would give the minister a chance to act, and appealed to the General Minister to ensure the necessary answers and laws are provided.
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First of all, I want to thank Deputy Ward for making us all aware of it because if anyone thinks that I knew anything about nitrous gas or laughing gas or whatever it is, I didn't. I can understand now and it has been explained to me the disastrous effect and can actually seriously impair youngsters and if it was nothing at all only to make parents aware and make us all more aware and I was listening to the Minister and apparently he is not ready to put or he hasn't the legislation that he wants to put in place ready yet. He says it has been covered by other rules or other regulations and it is covered in a different way but I would like to see more stringent controls and awareness for youngsters who may be trying to get this buzz like Deputy Gogot said in front of me or whatever it is and I know that youngsters being youngsters they will try different things at a different point in time and it is good that we have this talk here and that there will be legislation put in place in the short time and I would be asking the Minister to expedite, he said it to be nine months and I would like to have it be increased to, you know put in place maybe in three or four months time and when we are talking about human life and when something happens in human life and if they die or whatever they can't be brought back so there is urgency and as I said at the outset I know little about it I am thankful for being made aware of it and I hope that we will all work together and ensure that proper legislation is brought forward to deal with it and I am appealing to you as the General Minister to ensure that we get the answer and the legislation that we need to record this and and and and as well as that I'd like that that you know people would be made more more aware of it I thought I knew a lot I'm on the road every day and night and out everywhere but I never heard of this nitrous gas before but that's how it is and I'm thankful for the opportunity to to talk about it and and I will be voting for legislation when it's brought forward I know he'd like to be brought forward no but look I I'm honest and I maybe there's more to be looked at I will give the Minister the chance to do that
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