Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. Any measure that will dissuade people from smoking must be welcomed. I compliment the Minister for bringing forward the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill. Earlier in the year on foot of the EU tobacco directive, the Department sought submissions, and I understand in the region of 6,000 submissions were made and the issue of plain packaging was covered. Would it be beneficial to the consideration of the Bill to have a report on those submissions?

The Minister alluded to the Australian model and the fact that Australia has introduced plain packaging for cigarettes. In the region of 82% of the package is covered with warnings, including picture images on health, however, this will only be 65% in Ireland. Is there a reason we cannot follow through on the Australian example?

While it may not be totally relevant to the Bill, we are aware of the illegal sale of tobacco. I have tabled parliamentary questions to the Department of Health that have been referred to the Department of Finance because of the revenue implications. The sale of tobacco is subject to controls, and the product cannot be sold to minors. For people who have the habit, we are not losing revenue to the Exchequer. It does not make sense to impose restrictions on the legal trade, whereas at the same time the illegal trade seems to get away scot free. I would like to hear the Minister's views on how we can tackle that.