THE DÁIL HEARD a call for the introduction of a statutory “no wait card” for people with chronic and invisible illnesses who are in urgent need of toilet facilities.

The Labour Party introduced its Equal Status (Access to Toilet Facilities) Bill 2025 to the Dáil today. The Bill would place the cards on a statutory footing, ensuring retail shops and businesses with staff toilets would make them available to cardholders.

“No wait cards” already exist, and are issued by organisations such as Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland and Spinal Injuries Ireland, but there is no legal entitlement for businesses to provide access to its bathrooms.

Labour described the card as a “critical support for many people with medical conditions”, including IBS, which affects around 40,000 people in Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the Bill’s introduction, Labour TD Mark Wall said it offers a “compassionate and practical solution” and added that he hoped the government will work with Labour to bring about the change.

“For some people with a medical condition, they simply cannot wait until they get home to use a toilet,” he said.

“Introducing this Bill is an important step to raise awareness for people with chronic health conditions, and to make sure that public spaces are inclusive and responsive to the needs of everyone who uses them.”

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke, who was taking questions in the Dáil today, said his party colleague Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill “is very much supportive” of the initiative. 

Burke said he hopes the government can work with Labour on the Bill.

Do you think the cards should be put on a statutory footing?