106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance to confirm why there is a discrepancy in the figures provided in response to two different parliamentary questions (details supplied) in respect of the percentage of total packs of cigarettes sold that contain more than 20 cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20976/23] 

118. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019, the reason the data differs from that given in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20660/23] 

Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 118 together. 

I am informed by Revenue that the reason for the difference in the data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019 and Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023 is due to the former providing the percentage of the total number of individual cigarettes sold in packs of 20 units and packs exceeding 20 units while the latter provided the total number of cigarettes packs sold as containing 20 units and containing in excess of 20 units. 

For clarity, Revenue have provided both sets of the data in the tables below. 

Data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019, which was based on individual cigarettes:

Data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023, which was based on cigarette packs:

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Dáil Éireann debate. Written answers 113, 114 - Tobacco control measures

113. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20547/23] 

114. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultant reports commissioned by the bodies under his Department's aegis in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20548/23] 

Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. 

Details of external consultant reports commissioned by my Department and bodies under the aegis of my Department since 2020, including cost, company involved and publication date by report are set out in the tables attached. 

External consultant reports commissioned by bodies under the aegis of the Department of Finance since 2020, including cost, company involved and the title and publication date.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 408 - Tobacco control measures

408. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 572 and 573 of 25 April 2023, if he is aware of research from the University of Bristol and Cambridge University (details supplied) which shows that people smoke more when smoking cigarettes from larger-size packs; if he will commission research into the link between larger packs of cigarettes and added consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20385/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: I am aware of the referenced research examining the links between larger cigarette pack sizes and increased consumption. While there are no plans to commission research at this time my Department keeps the emerging evidence on pack sizes under review and is always open to identifying areas for future research that will support policy interventions to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the population.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 463 - Tobacco control measures

463. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when his Department will conduct a full review of the Tobacco Free Ireland programme; and if there will be public consultation on the programme. [20659/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: My Department has undertaken an interim review of the Tobacco Free Ireland policy which is currently being finalised; a consultation with stakeholders was undertaken as part of that interim review. The current policy runs until 2025 and preparations for the development of a policy to succeed Tobacco Free Ireland will begin in 2024.