Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 7, line 27, to delete "20 May 2017" and substitute "20 July 2016".

When I looked at the Bill, the area that I felt we could seek to change would be in relation to the period for the changeover or, as it is called in the retail trade, the "wash through" period.

When this legislation was introduced in Australia the period was two months. I have proposed a period of three months because the tobacco industry in Australia argued for a period of 12 to 18 months but in effect the transition was easily managed within two months. The only complaints were from some retailers who claimed that manufacturers were refusing to take back non-compliant products that had not been sold. I am concerned about the length of the lead-in time allowed. If we are going to introduce the legislation, let us have a short period of transition. I did not bring the date forward to begin with because I realise we must fulfil certain EU obligations but once the legislation is introduced it should be implemented speedily.