Responding to media coverage of research emanating from the United Kingdom in relation to alcohol consumption in pregnancy, the Minister said that the advice issued in September 2007 by the Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Children was still sound and sensible advice and is unchanged. “I believe that the advice from the Chief Medical Officer is clear and unambiguous. It is in the child’s best interest for a pregnant woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy. My Department has no intention of deviating from this sound advice.” the Minister said.