213. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill; the provisions it will cover; when it will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28891/14]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White): The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for minimum unit pricing, regulation of the marketing and advertising of alcohol, regulation of sports sponsorship, structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets and labelling of alcohol products. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and is hoped to publish a General Scheme of a Bill shortly