587. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the meetings held by his officials from assistant principal-level upwards with representatives of the tobacco and nicotine inhaling products industry in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the dates, attendees and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52027/23]

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: No officials from my Department have met with representatives of the tobacco and nicotine inhaling products industry in 2020, 2021, 2022 or to date in 2023.

Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to which Ireland is a party, states: 'In setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law.'

In this context it would not be appropriate for any officials from the Department of Health to meet with industry representatives.