The Minister, James Reilly, was asked on a radio programme if he would like to see firms with tobacco links no longer used by the government. He replied: 'Personally - absolutely. I don’t believe people can be representing the tobacco industry and be representing, certainly me – and I’d much prefer if the rest of government wouldn’t have any truck with them either.' The issue is focused at the moment on the relationship between Arthur Cox and the state's child and family agency. A spokesperson for Minister Reilly has said that the Minister is now seeking legal advice on 'what appropriately can be done'.

Imperial, BAT and Philip Morris

Only a few days ago, the Irish Cancer Society rejected a donation from Arthur Cox because of the firm's work for Japan Tobacco International. But several other firms could be affected if the controversy takes hold. Some €4m in consultancy fees has been paid in the last two years to law firms and other businesses which work with 'Big Tobacco', according to The Journal. Also mentioned, with details of government work and tobacco industry work, are A & L Goodbody (BAT), McCann Fitzgerald (Imperial Tobacco) and Matheson (Philip Morris). Source: The Journal