Enda Kenny is facing pressure from German politicians, businesses and campaigners to scrap plain packaging tobacco proposals, with one group warning the plan could threaten Ireland’s financial recovery.
Mr Kenny has received a letter signed by 27 MEPs with “concerns” about the plans. A European taxpayers group has also told him the plans could pose “threats to the Irish economy”, documents obtained by the Irish Examiner reveal.
All of the MEPs are in the European People’s Party, a centre-right group in the European Parliament that includes Fine Gael.
Some 13 of them are members of German chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition. Others are from Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and Austria.
The MEPs say that plain packaging will “open the door to illicit trade, including counterfeit products as well as restrict fair competition”.
The European Parliament last year rejected compulsory plain packaging proposals for all member states. Instead, a directive coming into force in 2016 allows members to voluntarily adapt such rules, which Ireland plans to do.
The MEPs told Mr Kenny compulsory plain packaging was rejected as it would undermine trademark protections and “result in a loss of investment and jobs”.
The MEPs warned him Ireland’s specific plans would “violate international agreements. It can increase illicit trade, and will set a dangerous precedent for other industries and products”.
Source: Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 12/08/14
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