Mr. Tom Loftus:

As with many of the proposals before us, we are in a process of consultation with industry and engaging with the other agencies that are involved, including the FSAI and the Department of Health. They in turn are engaging with the HSE and local authorities. This is not just an issue for the Department. There will be discussions with the other member states. The details remains to be fleshed out. Whatever is done, it important that the same thing is done in every member state so that we do not have a repeat of the current scenario in which some member states levy full or near-full costs and others do not levy much at all. This gives rise to competitive disadvantage.