423. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if and when he notified the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 to the European Commission under Directive (EU) 2015/1535; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6580/16]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The European Commission was formally notified on the 22 January 2016 of the intention to introduce the proposed legislation on minimum unit pricing, labelling and control of marketing and advertising under the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive (Directive EU 2015/1535). The standstill period runs until 28 April 2016.

  Article 8(1) of the Directive requires draft technical regulations to be notified immediately to the Commission. Article 9(1) provides that Member States shall "postpone the adoption of a draft technical regulation for three months from the date of receipt by the Commission of the communication referred to in Article 8(1).  "

   The standstill period is extended for a further period of three months in the event that the Commission or another Member State delivers, within the first three months, a detailed opinion that the measure envisaged may create obstacles to the free movement of goods within the internal market. The Member State concerned must then report to the Commission on the action it proposes to take on such detailed opinions. The Commission shall comment on that reaction.