Vol. 487 No. 7
230 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings, if any, he or his officials have had with individuals or their representatives who propose to take legal action against the major tobacco companies; whether he has received submissions from these people; the response his Department has made to these meetings and submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5142/98]
My officials have met the legal representatives of a number of people who, I am advised, are considering legal action against the tobacco companies. Their submissions were listened to and they were advised that their views would be given careful consideration. In relation to one specific aspect of these submissions concerning a request for direct financial aid in respect of individual actions taken through a number of different legal agents, I have decided that such a course of action would constitute an inefficient use of public funds and could give rise to certain inequities.
I have, however, appointed a group of senior health officials to monitor developments and to keep me advised. In particular, I have instructed them to consider how the public interest might best be served in this matter and I will be in touch with the various parties on this aspect of their submissions as soon as possible.
231 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to institute legal proceedings on behalf of the State against tobacco companies to recover costs incurred by the State in treating sufferers of smoking related illnesses, in view of recent evidence from major tobacco companies to the United States Congress; if the matter has been discussed by the EU Council of Ministers; the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/98]
I have not to date instituted legal proceedings against tobacco companies. My officials are monitoring the litigation in the United States and other jurisdications and I have established a group of senior health personnel to advise me on this matter. I have not made a final determination on the matter.
There have been no discussions on this specific item at the Council of Health Ministers though I intend to raise the matter at the next Council. It would be helpful to have a European approach to this matter if that were possible. I have recently agreed new anti-smoking measures at European level involving a ban on advertising and sponsorship. While much of these measures already exist in Ireland a European-wide application of these restrictions will have a much more significant effect.
