Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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735. To ask the Minister for Health the position with regard to his proposals regarding the licensing of tobacco retailers, as outlined in Budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1368/14]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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736. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the licensing of tobacco vending machines; who the awarding body will be; the cost of the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1423/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, under current Irish tobacco control legislation, a retailer wishing to sell tobacco products, whether over the counter or from a self-service vending machine, must register with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office and be placed on the Retail Register for the sale of tobacco products. Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, as amended, the HSE may charge a fee as may be determined by the Minister for Health. To date this has been a once off fee of €50.

Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy, sets out recommendations for the future regulation of the tobacco retail environment. The Government proposes to increase the Retail Register fee during 2014, in the context of legislation to provide for the licensing of the sale of tobacco products as outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland . Work is ongoing in relation to this legislation, and as such details are not yet available.