Home > Dáil Eireann debate. Alcohol advertising [40960/14].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Eireann debate. Alcohol advertising [40960/14]. (10 Feb 2015)

External website: http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20A...


Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the working group on regulating sponsorship by alcohol companies of major sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40960/14]

 

The Taoiseach: The interdepartmental working group on regulating sponsorship by alcohol companies of major sporting events was established as part of a package of measures to address alcohol misuse agreed by the Government in late 2013. In the case of sports sponsorship by alcohol companies, the Government acknowledged the public health concerns associated with alcohol sponsorship of sport but also the potential impact of any regulation on funding for sport, and established the working group to consider the "value, evidence, feasibility and implications of regulating sponsorship of major sporting events".

 

The working group was chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and included representatives from the Departments of Health; Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; Social Protection; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Children and Youth Affairs; and Education and Skills. It held a public consultation process seeking relevant information from interested parties. Nineteen submissions were received in response to this request and these are available on my Department's website.

 

The working group finalised its report in December and it has been considered by the Cabinet committee on social policy and public service reform. The report is also available on my Department's website.

 

Arising from consideration by the Cabinet committee, the Minister for Health finalised proposals on the Bill in conjunction with his ministerial colleagues and brought these to Government last week. The Government gave approval for the drafting of a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the Minister for Health has published the general scheme of the Bill. Any questions on the Government's proposals can be referred to the Minister for Health. I also anticipate that the relevant Oireachtas committee will have an opportunity to consider the general scheme he has published as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, which is another element of Dáil reform.....

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