1696. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline that he is working towards for the commencement of section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, in relation to labelling of alcohol products and notices in licensed premises; if the Attorney General has concluded his review of the draft regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30022/22] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: Regulations under Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act are currently being drafted with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. When the draft regulations are finalised they must be notified to the European Commission under the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 to assess their alignment with Single Market principles. 

If the European Commission does not give a negative opinion on the draft regulations Ireland may begin implementing section 12 which has a three-year lead in time. If the European Commission’s opinion is negative it will initiate an examination procedure in order to determine whether the proposed regulations may be implemented subject, if necessary, to appropriate modifications.