Brussels, 23/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 23 January, having come to present the priorities of Ireland in health matters, Minister James Reilly told the committee on the environment, public health and food safety of the European Parliament that he was personally committed to moving discussions forward on the tobacco directive for adoption as soon as possible. “The negotiations will be tough. The industry has shown its power of influence and prevented us from making progress”, Reilly warned.
The minister reiterated Ireland's firm determination over the issue of tobacco, as the first country in Europe to have brought in a ban on smoking in public places, saying: “Let's be honest, if tobacco was to come onto the market today, knowing what we know, it would not be authorised.” Linda McAvan (S&D, United Kingdom), the rapporteur on the dossier, said that she would make “four proposals to support the Commission and achieve good legislation (…). There is a lot of pressure on the Commission. We have to achieve something positive.” In the view of Ireland's Nessa Childers, the EP should work transparently with the Council, respecting the recommendations of the WTO framework agreement and without allowing the lobbies to influence it. Reilly referred to two other dossiers on which he hopes to make progress - clinical trials and medical devices. As regards the latter, the minister stressed that it was important to ensure the quality of the devices put onto the market, bearing in mind the scandal of PIP breast implants. “The proposal is complex, but it is possible to move forward”, he said. The day before, he had met rapporteur Dagmar Roth-Berendt (S&D, Germany) and one of the shadow rapporteurs, Mairead McGuinness (EPP, Ireland). On clinical trials, he said “we need effective trials for a strong industry”. With a meeting with rapporteur Glenis Willmott (S&D, United Kingdom) due to take place on the same day, Reilly pointed out that most of the member states agreed with the Commission's proposal and that a first-reading agreement should be possible. It is worth noting that the French MEPs Françoise Grossetête (EPP) and Gilles Pargneaux (S&D) sought the minister's opinion on Orphacol, arguing that the Council could bring pressure to bear on the Commission, which is blocking the sale of the product (see EUROPE 10760). Reilly replied dryly that “this dossier is currently before the Court of Justice”. (IL/transl.fl)