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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Tobacco Industry.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

38 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he has not published the interim report on litigation by the tobacco free policy review group; and if he will furnish a copy of the report to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. [14407/00]

The report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on smoking and health includes a section dealing with litigation against the tobacco industry which recommended that the committee should be given powers of compellability in relation to documents and people for an inquiry into the tobacco industry. I have previously indicated my support for the committee's proposal. It is expected that a resolution granting powers of compellability to the committee will be introduced before both Houses of the Oireachtas this year. If this is successful I am advised that the committee should then call for the report under section 11 of the committee of the House of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privilege and Immunity of Witness ) Act, 1997. I hope the committee would then consider the interim report of the tobacco free policy group on litigation in that context.

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