Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Over 130 countries were represented at the conference. From listening to some of the contributions during the conference and from chatting to people on the sidelines, it was very encouraging to hear people talking about the miracle that had taken place in Ireland, how a small country in which many had pictured people with the pint in one hand and the cigarette in the other could be so courageous in taking this move and the inspiration it had given them to follow suit. Indeed, many countries have followed the same pattern, although perhaps not in the same fashion. There is an awareness that this is one area in which we can take action that will have immediate benefits to the people. It is all about trying to improve the health of our people and it is encouraging to see such a positive response from other countries.

The Department of Health and Children is involved in an EU process to introduce pictorial warnings which are significantly more striking than the current text-based warnings.