Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any investments, either directly or indirectly through pension or other investment funds, are held in tobacco companies by his Department, any agency within the remit of his Department, or any agency or entity in receipt of departmental funding; if his Department has any guidelines relating to such investment; if his Department intends to introduce any policies or guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39039/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​My Department does not hold any investments either directly or indirectly in tobacco companies.

Investments by agencies of the Department, and other entities in receipt of funding from the Department, is a matter for the agencies and other entities themselves and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to them for their direct response.  If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days he should contact my private office.

In relation to guidelines on investing in the tobacco industry, Ireland has ratified and is a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.  Article 5.3 of that legally binding Convention states the following:

“In setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law”.

Guidelines for the implementation of the above-mention Article 5.3 were developed to assist parties.  Paragraphs 4.7 and 7.2 of the guidelines state the following: 

"4.7  Government institutions and their bodies should not have any financial interest in the tobacco industry, unless they are responsible for managing a Party’s ownership in a State-owned tobacco industry.

7.2  Parties that do not have a State-owned tobacco industry should not invest in the tobacco industry and related ventures.”