The Children's Minister says he won't allow tobacco companies to stop him from saving lives.

James Reilly says lobbyists will not intimidate him from introducing laws on plain packaging.

The Dail has today passed the law, which will now go back to the Seanad before going on to the President to be signed into law.

Minister Reilly has compared tobacco companies to schoolyard bullies - but says he will not be intimidated by their legal threats.

He says he wants Irish people to "take satisfaction" from the fact that Ireland will only be the second country worldwide to introduce plain packaging.

And he says he will not bow to the legal threats of tobacco companies who are trying to stop the plans: