715. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health when the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 will be published and considered by Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12038/15]

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar): The General Scheme of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was approved by Government on the 3 February 2015. The Scheme includes provisions for minimum unit pricing, health labelling on products that contain alcohol, restrictions on the advertising and marketing of alcohol and the regulation of sports sponsorship. As part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, the measures are being debated in detail by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. The hearings commenced on the 10 March and will over the next few weeks.

The Department of Health is continuing to work on the preparation of the legislation. It is expected that the Bill will be published during this session.