Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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169. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the illicit trade in cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51221/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was received on 19 November, 2013 for the publication of the General Scheme of a new Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2013 and to proceed with the drafting of the legislation based on this General Scheme. While I am not in a position to comment on the Australian report referred to by the Deputy, I can assure him that tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products is a high priority for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, which is responsible for the area. Revenue’s work in recent years has been guided in recent years by its Strategy on Combating the Illicit Tobacco Trade 2011-2013. The intention is that a further strategy will be put in place when the current one comes to an end, to act as the strategic focus for the ongoing extensive work against the smuggling and sale of illicit products.

With regard to tobacco packaging, it is important to note that the Revenue Commissioners have advised that the tax stamp, which contains a range of sophisticated security features, is a key means for them to distinguish between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which the cigarettes are packaged. In addition, Ireland is party to legally binding agreements between the EU and three major tobacco companies which aim to strengthen anti-smuggling measures. The Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was agreed at the FCTC Conference of the Parties in November 2012, and Ireland will sign and ratify that protocol.