Mr. Steven Donaldson:

I trust the public health authorities on that figure. I do not have any figure different to that one and I would not challenge it.

There was a direct question on the number of retail stores. There are approximately 110,000 jobs in the country involved in the sale of tobacco. Typically, 25% to 30% of a store's sales are in tobacco and ancillary purchases. That figure includes jobs in the industry itself.

E-cigarettes are very much a new thing in Ireland. Our company is investing approximately €200 million in research and development per year to try to come up with other products that will be alternatives to tobacco and to try to reduce the overall harm of tobacco. Several products are coming at the moment. I have been over to our research and develop facility in Southampton. More than 1,000 scientists are working there. In terms of e-cigarettes, many eminent medical professors have said this could be an opportunity for the future. I fully support the Minister of Health's intention at the moment that it should not be aimed at those under 18 years. I completely agree and I have written to him recently to support that.