463. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 419 of 16 December 2014, when his Department will respond to the European Commission under the EU technical standards directive 98/34/EC; if the legislative process can continue in advance of his Department's response to the European Commission; when he expects the legislation to be considered by the Dáil Select Committee on Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2770/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 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 17th June 2014. As the Deputy is aware, detailed responses on the proposed measures were received from a number of Member States. A response to these opinions is being drafted by officials in the Department of Health, in consultation with the relevant Government Departments, and will be submitted shortly. It is anticipated that the Bill will resume the legislative process in the Dáil during the Spring/Summer session 2015.