Press Release: Thursday 16 July 2026
Minister Murnane O’Connor publishes Sunbeds Public Consultation Report
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, has today published the Sunbeds Public Consultation Report. The Report sets out the views received from members of the public, health workers, industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders on a proposed ban on commercial sunbed use.
The public consultation was launched on 25 July 2025 and ran until 3 October 2025. It was undertaken as part of the Government’s work to progress the Programme for Government commitment to explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use in Ireland.
The public consultation received 9,320 survey responses from residents in Ireland. The majority of respondents self-assigned as members of the public, while responses were also received from health workers, industry representatives, NGOs and others. Eleven written submissions were also received from organisations through the dedicated consultation mailbox.
The Report provides important insights into the views and opinions on a proposed ban on commercial sunbed use.
Speaking today, Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“I welcome the publication of the Sunbeds Public Consultation Report, which provides valuable insight into the views of people and organisations on commercial sunbed use in Ireland. The consultation shows that this is a complex policy issue, with strongly held views across the public, health, industry and stakeholder groups.
The Government is committed to progressing this work in an evidence-based and proportionate way. This Report will inform the next phase of policy development, alongside legal, economic, EU and public health considerations.”
The Sunbeds Public Consultation identified divergence in attitudes towards a potential ban on commercial sunbed use. Many respondents did not support a ban on commercial sunbed use, citing personal choice, confidence, appearance, mental health, perceived benefits for skin conditions, and concerns that a ban could lead to sunbed use into unregulated settings.
At the same time, the Sunbeds Public Consultation identified support from public health, NGOs, patient advocacy and environmental health stakeholders for enhanced public health measures, including a ban, on the basis of cancer prevention, child protection and reducing exposure to a known carcinogen.
Minister Murnane O’Connor added:
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the Sunbeds Public Consultation, including members of the public, health professionals, advocacy organisations, community representatives and industry stakeholders. Their contributions will help ensure that future policy decisions are transparent and informed.
Policy options will be brought to Government for decision following completion of further policy analysis and EU engagement.”