613. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on proposals regarding the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol; if it will result in a loss of jobs. [31528/11]

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): A National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group was established in 2009. It is examining the development of policy to deal with a wide range of key issues relating to the supply, pricing, availability and marketing of alcohol — including the issue raised by the Deputy — along with measures for the policy areas of prevention strategies, treatment, rehabilitation, alcohol and substance dependency research and information. The report of the Steering Group is close to completion; I expect to receive proposals in the coming months and I will then brief my colleagues in Government on these. In the meantime, I will not pre-empt the work of the group.