Ministers under fire over tobacco industry meetings

Officials from the departments of Finance and Jobs and Enterprise have been accused of not disclosing meetings with the tobacco industry at a time of intensive lobbying against new EU legislation.

A number of meetings were held with officials from the Department of Finance before the budget.

Since July, there was a meeting between tobacco industry representatives and officials of the Revenue Commissioners on tobacco enforcement and control, according to a written reply from Minister Michael Noonan.

The issue is particularly sensitive as the Irish Government holding the EU presidency, will play a role in bringing the new tobacco legislation into force.

Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton stated the only meeting with tobacco industry representatives in the last six months was with officials from the intellectual property unit of his department who met the regulatory affairs advisor of Japan Tobacco International in September.

Labour MEP Nessa Childers said the meetings ignored the transparency required under the WHO’s tobacco treaty.

“We need to know how and when this dirty industry is lobbying the Government and why. Massive industry lobbying across Europe comes ahead of a major new EU anti-tobacco directive which aims to severely curb the marketing of tobacco to kids,” she said.