378. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if Ireland has officially responded to the objections from ten member states to the plain packaging Bill as it is obliged to do so under the EU transparency directive; if the EU Commission has given the go ahead to proceed with this Bill as is also required; if all the correct processes have been followed; and if he will confirm that there is no exposure to the taxpayer of future compensation claims from the tobacco companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7876/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 17 June 2014. As the Deputy has noted, detailed opinions on the proposed measures were received from a number of Member States. Ireland’s response to these opinions was submitted to the Commission on 26 January 2015. The Commission has not issued any comment on the matter. Once the stand-still period set down under the Technical Standards Directive elapsed, the legislative process for the Bill could continue. The legislation has now been passed by the Seanad, and Committee Stage of the Bill was completed in the Dáil last week.

The Government considers that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is a justified and proportionate public health measure. It is very important that the threat of litigation should not be an obstacle to the introduction of important public health measures.