asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to publish regulations to be made under Section 2 of the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act, 1978.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tobacco Products Regulations.
16.
I intend to make regulations in pursuance of the provisions of the Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act, 1978 shortly. Consultations with the interests principally affected on a draft of the regulations are in progress at present.
Is there any indication as to whether these regulations will have the effect of prohibiting the circulation here of newspapers or periodicals published outside the country unless they carry a slogan in accordance with the Minister's wishes?
These are matters that are still in the course of discussion.
But has not a draft of these regulations been circulated to some of the interested parties? If this is so, should not Members of the Oireachtas, in fairness, be supplied also with these draft regulations?
That is not the usual procedure.
Is the Minister aware of the concern expressed by the news-agents' association in this matter?
I am meeting representatives of that association at 4 o'clock today.
Because of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question No. 12, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.