Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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387. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department and the Revenue Commissioners are participating in the high-level implementation group to oversee the project plan for the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products; the number of meetings his Department and the Revenue Commissioners have been represented at to date; if he or his officials will highlight the extent of illicit trade in the tobacco sector and the negative impact it is having on jobs in the retail sector; if he will summarise the viewpoints expressed by his Department and the Revenue Commissioners to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43059/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Government approval was received on 28 May 2013 to begin the process of introducing standardised packaging of tobacco products in Ireland. A Steering Group on Standardised Packaging has been established to oversee the implementation of a project plan. This is an interdepartmental group and includes a representative from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The group has met twice to date.

The Group has no direct responsibility in relation to illicit tobacco. Revenue's participation in the Group is concerned with the accommodation of its needs, particularly in relation to the fiscal stamp, in the context of any new packaging arrangements. 

Revenue has advised that it is very aware of the negative impact that the illicit tobacco market has on legitimate business and on the exchequer and tackling this problem remains one of its key objectives.