1310. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the preparations that are underway for the upcoming tenth conference of the parties to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which will take place in Panama from 20 to 25 November 2023; the Government's priorities; if there are preparations underway within his Department ahead of the conference; who will be attending on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12880/23]

Stephen Donnelly Minister for Health

The 9th Conference of Parties (COP9) was delayed by a year due to the pandemic, before being held virtually in 2021. As a result, substantive discussions and decisions on a number of agenda items were deferred until COP10. It is vital that these discussions take place in November and that decisions are made, particularly on Treaty instruments and technical matters such as the reports on implementation of Articles 9 & 10 of the Convention, and the report on novel and emerging tobacco products.

A continuing priority for Ireland is strong implementation of Article 5.3 on protecting tobacco control policies from industry interference and I would welcome discussion of the evolving tactics of the tobacco industry to hinder public health policy.

Ahead of COP10, my Department will engage regularly at EU level in order to develop a common EU position on the agenda items for consideration. As with previous COPs, Irish representation at COP10 will come from my Department.