696. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the transposition of the European Union tobacco products directive; the proposed legislative timeframe for this; if it is still possible for the legislation to be enacted in order to meet the May 2016 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20425/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The new Tobacco Products Directive came into force in May 2014 following approval by the European Parliament. Member States have two years to transpose the Directive into national law. The revised Directive regulates a number of aspects of tobacco products and e-cigarettes, including labelling and packaging, ingredients and emissions, traceability and security features. My Department is working in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General to put measures in place to transpose the Directive into Irish law by the 20th May 2016 deadline.