Health minister absence threatening car smoking ban: McLaughlin

A smoking ban in cars containing children is one of a number of “important” pieces of legislation which “could be lost” because of the absence of a health minister at Stormont, Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin has said.

Ms McLaughlin, the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, said number of important pieces of health legislation which could make a real difference to people's lives were in jeopardy because Simon Hamilton was absent from his post.

She added: "One is the Miscellaneous Bill, which includes a clause which could see smoking banned in cars containing children.

"This would be an important step forward in protecting children and young people from the dangers of smoking.

"The other is the Social Care Bill which involves the regulation of social workers.”

Ms McLaughlin concluded: "It is unacceptable these pieces of legislation could be held up to the point where they could be lost because the minister has abandoned his responsibilities for selfish party political reasons.”