Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
780. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Government has received any communication on the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 from the European Commission under the EU 98/34 notification procedure or through other channels; if he will detail the contents of these communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32983/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 on 10th June 2014 and the presentation of the Bill in the Seanad. The Bill was initiated in the Seanad on the 19th June and completed Committee and Report Stage on the 24th June. The Bill commenced Second Stage in the Dáil on 2nd July 2014.
On 17th June, formal notification of the publication of the Bill was made to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU). Four detailed opinions on the Bill have been received from Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. To date, comments or opinions have not been received from the EU Commission.
