Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department is participating in the High Level Implementation Group to oversee the project plan for the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products; if 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 to the Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43058/13]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The Government announced on the 28th May last that it intends to bring forward legislation for the introduction of plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products in Ireland. The Department of Health is the leading Department on this matter and the Minister of Health has set up a High Level Implementation Group to oversee the project plan for the implementation of standardised packaging for tobacco products legislation.

My Department has nominated a representative to the group and attended the two meetings of the group to date. I understand the work of the group is on-going. My Department has outlined to the group from an Intellectual Property perspective the potential issues arising in relation to domestic and international law.

The Revenue Commissioners are the appropriate authority to answer the Deputy's question in relation to the extent of illicit trade in the tobacco sector and the negative impact it is having on jobs in the retail sector.