Sinn Féin spokesperson for Dublin, Mark Ward TD, has called for urgent action from the government to address the rise in nitrous oxide misuse.
Deputy Ward was speaking following the Journal Investigates report, which highlighted the increase in canisters being collected by local authorities, 160,000 canisters ending up in waste facilities per year, and the damage being caused to waste compactors.
The Dublin Mid-West TD said the report is proof that “this problem is getting out of hand.”
The outlet reported that 160,000 nitrous oxide canisters are ending up in Irish waste facilities per year.
“They have also reported that over 13,000 nitrous oxide canisters have been collected by Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council and Fingal County Council in recent years. Most local authorities across the state do not record this figure,” he noted.
“The report highlights that recently there have been 120 explosions, over a two-week period, in waste compactors in Ireland. This is costly and dangerous.”
Ward explained, “my legislation to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide to legitimate use only is progressing through the Dáil. The government shamefully delayed it by 9 months until October, but I have been given notice that it is scheduled for debate at Committee stage as soon as the delay has expired.”
“We have known for a long time that nitrous oxide is being misused, and this misuse has become more widespread,” he said.
“We have heard from consultants that this misuse is leading to a loss of feeling in the hands and legs due to nerve damage, and in the more extreme cases, spinal cord damage.”
“Unfortunately, this is no longer a rare outcome,” he noted.
The Sinn Féin TD said “we are at a crisis stage, and the government has been burying their heads in the sand.”
“I have asked the government if they intend to bring their own legislation. Shamefully, but not surprisingly, they have told me that they will not be bringing in their own measures.
“Europe will be moving to regulate nitrous oxide from February 2027, but we do not need to wait until then, we need to act urgently to address this issue.
“I have gift-wrapped the solution for the government, they need to start taking this seriously.”