Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 June 2014
180. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if a regulatory impact assessment has been completed for the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014; the organisations or individuals invited to participate in this RIA; the organisations or individuals that participated in this RIA; when the RIA will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26226/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 was published last Friday, 13th June. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) has been completed for this legislation. It is my intention that the RIA will be published shortly.
As the Deputy is aware consultation with stakeholders is one element of the RIA process. In February of this year tobacco industry organisations and retailer organisations were contacted seeking their views on the General Scheme of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill. They were requested to comment on specific provisions contained in the scheme or to identify any omissions from the scheme. The results of this consultation process were considered when developing the legislation, where they related directly to the issue of standardised packaging of tobacco products. In developing the legislation I also considered the findings of the Joint Committee on Health and Children who invited and received submissions and met with many of the key stakeholders in this regard.
Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 173.
