Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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346. To ask the Minister for Health if the regulatory impact assessment adheres to the criteria set down in RIA guidelines (details supplied) in respect of the tobacco industry and the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44145/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Guidelines are intended to provide assistance to government officials conducting RIAs in respect of legislative proposals. The RIA carried out in connection with the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is available on the Department of Health’s website at . Officials in my Department consulted the Cabinet Handbook and the Revised 2009 RIA Guidelines in carrying out the Regulatory Impact Analysis for this legislation.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Heads of Bill for this legislation were considered by the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Written and oral submissions were made to the Joint Committee and the subsequent report of the Committee was taken into consideration in the RIA document and in the drafting of the legislation.