437. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to introduce regulations under section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; if the regulations in relation to labels will require them to carry a warning in both official languages of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33441/22]

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: Draft regulations under section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act must be assessed by the European Commission as to whether they are in alignment with Single Market principles. Subject to the consequences of that assessment there will be a three-year lead-in time after the Regulations have been finalised so that businesses will have time to prepare for and certainty to make the necessary changes to comply with the new requirements.

Section 12(1) of the Act provides that labels on alcohol products must contain specified health information and does not provide that this information should be displayed in both the English and the Irish language. Sections 12(4) and 12(5) of the Act provide that this health information must also be displayed on notices in licensed premises and on websites that sell alcohol products and does provide that this information must be displayed in both the English and the Irish language.