Sir, – Stephen Donnelly has become one of the biggest casualties in the country’s general election after he lost his seat in Wicklow.
While his legacy as Minister for Health is being viewed as a bit of a mixed bag, he proved himself to be a public health giant.
In 2023, the Government introduced legislation that provides for alcohol products sold in Ireland to have health information labels, warning of dangers of consumption while pregnant, and risks of fatal cancer and liver disease.
Recent Health Research Board research showed that only a fifth of the population understand the link between alcohol and breast cancer.
Last May, the Cabinet approved legislation that will increase the age of sale of tobacco to 21. Smoking, a habit that causes 13 per cent of all cancers, 5 per cent of all hospital admissions and costs the State €10 billion annually.
Last September, the Minister and his Cabinet introduced draft legislation to ban the sale of disposable vapes, restrict the sale of flavoured vapes and use of colourful packaging; restrictions around vending machines and pop-up shops; and the introduction of a new licensing system.
Legislation to prevent sales of vapes to under-18s came into effect in December 2023.
In September, the Minister established an online taskforce to develop a public health response to harms caused to children and young people by smartphones and social media.
While not the stuff of headlines, Stephen Donnelly proved himself to be a giant for public health with the introduction of legislation, despite ferocious industry lobbying, that will have implications for health and wellbeing of future generations of Irish citizens for decades to come. – Yours, etc,
Dr CATHERINE CONLON,
Ballintemple,
Cork.